Dear friends,

High in the Chartreuse massif in Eastern France lie two fascinating and challenging expressions of Christian adoration.

In 1084, St. Bruno established with six companions a community dedicated to a silence in which each member alone and together might know, as far as humans ever can, the love of God in all its breadth and length and height and depth. Geographically remote from all distraction, the monastery was sited in the mountains and retains its name and place to this day: la Grand Chartreuse. In English, ‘chartreuse’ became ‘charterhouse’ and in Latin the new community was known as the ordo Carthusiana.

Carthusians are found all over the world and their disciplined life of prayer and contemplation is professed not simply for their individual benefit, but as a sign in little colonies everywhere of self-denial that leaves all behind for God. One of the monks put it like this: “It is not we who look for God; God is looking for us.” In being still, they come to be found and to be re-fashioned in love.

The modern tourist cannot enter a charterhouse – the communities maintain their enclosure very strictly. However, near the original site is a visitor centre called la Correrie. It offers a fascinating introduction to the Carthusian life; and whatever you feel about monasticism you cannot help but be impressed by those who give themselves so utterly to this way of life.

Contemplation, by the way, is different from meditation. Meditation is an act of the intellect and seeks understanding; contemplation is an act of the heart and seeks communion. Each demands stillness, but their roads are different. Those who take the contemplative way do not look for reasons or answers; they simply look to be with God – the presence of Christ is all. Adoration is found not by argument but by abiding.

Across the valley in the little village of St. Hugues is another wonder of Christian adoration. In 1952 a French painter (Arcabas) began to work in the church, decorating it with works of art (painting and sculpture) which responded simply to the story of God in Christ. More than fifty years later the vision is realised for our wonder.

The individual pieces (well over a hundred) are themselves extraordinary; together they form an act of worship into which the viewer is drawn. They do not argue, they simply adore; and as you enter the church it is impossible to remain unmoved – the presence of so much joy (even in the darker works) is compelling. The church glows with the gospel narrative.

Sue and I took time to visit these two sites during our recent holiday. In a world which is dominated by rush and hurry, by noise and distraction, we found here reminders that to be still is to know God. We heard, once again, in the silence the still, small voice.

For this blessing we grateful; by it we are enriched.

Stillness and prayer are the wellsprings of commitment to the world. Not all of us can be artists; not all of us are called to the separated life of silence. Yet we all need the vision which impelled St. Bruno and Arcabas to pursue the glory of God with such determined resolution and hope.

Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, Reading. RG1 3BE   Tel: 0118 957 2197