Back in the Habit

Thursday, June 21, 2012

We have looked, earlier, into the "habit of a cloistered heart."  With this in mind, I was glad to find the following, written by someone who actually wears a habit: 

"The lovingness of the Sisters is perceivable to even a casual observer.  But the Sisters are not this way because they wear a habit.  They wear a habit (an outward sign of simplicity and consecration and a reminder of their vows of poverty and chastity) because they are this way....

"When someone shows us deference in some way, we know that is not towards us... No, they honor something else, something greater.  Even those who do not know that we are called “nuns” or that we wear a “habit” know there is something different about us.  They can tell that we are set apart...." (To read the rest of this brief article by a Sister of the Visitation of Holy Mary in Tyringham, Massachusetts,  click here).   

(and for a look back at the habits of a cloistered heart, click here.  And here. )

Pondering Sister's words, I find myself considering ....

Is my lovingness perceivable to observers? 

Am I allowing God to clothe me in habits of virtue that "show?"

"Because you are God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Bear with one another, forgive whatever grievances you have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you.  Over all these virtues put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect."  (Colossians 3:12-14)