A Difficult Obedience
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My letter to the monks:
The Entry into the Temple of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, and Ever-virgin, Mary.
21 November 2004
Br Stavros and all the brothers,
It saddens me greatly to cancel my appointment with you for the Thanksgiving weekend.
The Naval Education and Training Command (under which I am a student) recently instituted a policy whereby students on liberty must be accompanied by at least one “buddy.” This policy responds to the actions of many student Sailors who are usually very young, actions which endanger themselves and others. The buddy program hopes to curb these activities — most of which center around the immoderate use of alcohol —- as well as train sailors in the buddy program policy which they will follow as Sailors in foreign ports.
Unfortunately, I simply do not know any shipmates who would want to spend Thanksgiving weekend at a monastery, even one as wonderful yours. It is truly their loss, but given the policy outlined above, it is also my loss.
This policy does not apply when a sailor is on leave, only on liberty, so I will look for such an opportunity to visit you and the brothers in the future. I was very much looking forward to a retreat, but it is apparently not the right time.
But there is good work to be found in simple obedience.
May the prayers of our Lady, whose entry into the temple we celebrate today, be with all of you. Please continue to remember me in your prayers.
Your unworthy servant,
Basil, a sinner
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2 Responses to “A Difficult Obedience”
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November 21st, 2004 at 11:41 pm
Dang… sorry to hear about this.
Hope your “Plan B” is blessed.
November 22nd, 2004 at 12:14 am
Josh, thank you. I do, too. It will probably consist of computer drivel and sleep. 🙁 (Maybe some prayer. ;-))