LEAVEN AND MUSTARDSEED ANCHORITES

 

As baptised members of the wider Church, we form part the mustard seed community which grows in this world. As we are changed by Christ and the ongoing action pursuant to the baptism we underwent, so we affect and change others and the society around us. 

We are as anchorites in a quiet cell within our soul, going out into the marketplace and sharing the beauties of the fruits of baptism with others. We do this so that all may shelter within the branches of the Church.  The leaven of the Spirit working within our hearts, quietly changes us for the better. 

We are called by God to allow the leaven of grace to permeate the dough of our lives, to grow quietly within our hearts, and to share with the world the nourishing Bread of Christ. Our mission is to tend and water the mustard seed tree through obedience to God’s Call, love for His people, prayer, deeds performed according to His holy Will, and willing self-sacrifice. In faithfully kneading the leaven entrusted to us and caring for the tree planted within our souls, we help the great Tree of the Church to flourish - becoming a holy, sincere, and steadfast shelter for all who seek rest beneath its branches.

All changes around us as our behaviour betters, our attitudes become more godly and our temper comes more under control. Baptism changes us profoundly: and with this, changes our present and future.

Leaven and mustardseed anchorites

We are the seed that Christ has sown,
In hidden soil, yet not alone;
Though small we seem in earth’s wide field,
In grace our silent life is sealed.

From the waters of new birth,
We rise to walk upon this earth;
A mustard seed, so small, so slight,
Yet called to grow in God’s own Light.

Like anchorites in quiet cell,
Within the soul where Christ does dwell,
We learn His Voice and walk His Way,
Our faith and love grow day by day.

Yet from that stillness we are sent,
To marketplace where lives are spent;
To share fruits of baptismal grace,
To speak of Christ with witness face.

The Spirit, like the leaven, moves
Through hidden parts of hearts He proves;
He changes anger, pride, and fear,
Till gentleness and peace appear.

As we grow in Christ each day,
We help the world to find its way;
Till all may rest where branches spread,
And nest in Church’s living stead.

Poem inspired by Fr G.M.A. Jansen. (Norbert Jansen OP). p 13, Pro Veritate Vol V No. 12. Baptism and Co-existence. 15 April 1967

https://sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/archive-files/PvApr67.pdf

With thanks to sahistory.org.za

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Blessing in a monastic garden"