2022: St. Andrews Abbey Retreat – The Book of Job

Friday, 16 December 2022 3:00 PM –
Sunday, 18 December 2022 10:00 AM

Synopsis: The Book of Job is about struggle – the struggle of a good and pious man trying to
make sense of the world and of his life in which bad things happen, in which evil is
experienced. It asks the big question of why do these things happen if God is just and good.
Its even greater significance is in the kind of stance Job is led to take in his challenge to God,
his demand for an answer. In this workshop we will look at the dilemmas proposed in this
important book of Wisdom literature, and how Job comes to terms with his world, his God and
himself.

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Presenter: Fr. Aelred Niespolo, OSB – Fr. Aelred has been a monk of Valyermo since 2001
and was ordained to the priesthood in 2005. Having completed the Master of Theology
program at Oxford University, he teaches at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. He is editor of
the Valyermo Chronicle and has served as Director of Oblates.

Personal Feelings:

• GOOD NEWS: I am truly enjoying a life filled with new personal experiences, not
  chained to a list of professional obligations. Bike riding is stretching my faith and
  drawing me closer to God (INTIMACY) by intentionally putting myself more
  directly in His Hands. As a result, I get to share my experiences with others, and
  talk about God in a natural and easy manner.
• CURRENT CONDITION: I try to suspend my unmet wants/desires… and focus on
  living the best life I can each day, one day at a time. I’m mostly successful in this
  endeavor, but not always.
  What am I looking for from this retreat?
• I want God to speak any words of correction or adjustment that He feels I need to
  hear. I want His guidance, to travel His course for my life, in His way, for His
  purposes (known/unknown), to His Glory. I have plans for 2023 that could be
  pointless, stupid and dangerous. But, they could also be meaningful, spectacular
  and magnificent. I just need to listen reeeeeeally carefully so I don’t go the wrong
  way. They can look very similar BEFORE the end.
  Notes from Session #1 on Job:
• Job is a literary instrument used to discuss complex issues. It is a
  very relatable story that everyone can identify with, but one which few people
  have a comfortable grasp on.
• Wisdom literature is traditionally aimed at NOW…. Where we seek success and
  rewards in this life. The rules of creation set by God our Creator. This is in
  contrast to ETERNITY…. Where success and rewards are manifested in the next
  life. The rules of Salvation, set by God our Savior.
• Job is a unique Wisdom-book (usually explaining how to succeed in life by
  following the rules for proper behavior) in that it deals directly with CHAOS (the
  lack of conformity to the ordained orderly rules of creation).
• Job tries to explore the tension of an infinite gap with a mysterious-unknowable-
  God, while attempting to preserve a relationship with a dearly-beloved-God.
• Question: How can a man of faith adequately juggle his tangible expectations for
  this life with his intangible hopes for the next life? Is it OK to “give up” on any
  further success/happiness in this life, and push all our dreams into the eternal
  future?
• Wisdom is like an arrow. Before sin entered into the world, wisdom would always
  hit it’s target (Proverbs 8).
• But, now that sin has come, there is as cross-wind that blows hard and
  unpredictably. A midst the whirlwind of sin, wisdom can’t always hit the mark.
  Wisdom is not enough to guarantee goodness or success. Wisdom is better than
  foolishness, but by itself wisdom is unable to cut through the chaos, injustice,
  brokenness and pain in this life.
• To restore the efficacy of wisdom, a new creation (heaven and earth) must
  replace what was ruined.
• Now, wisdom must be combined with our faith and God’s Grace. And, even then,
  victory is not assured in this life. We must humbly bow all our expectations in front
  of the mystery, providence and majesty of God.
• We know God is good, but we do not know how or when His Goodness will be
  revealed. We cannot call forth God’s Goodness like a magician conjures a trick.
• As I get older, I understand that my expectations must continually be lowered.
  This process will continue until the day I die, at which point, I will receive a new
  life full of previously unknown possibilities.
  Notes from Session #2 on Job:
• God is someone we accept, even though we don’t fully understand Him.
• How do you live a life worthwhile? Wisdom should help answer that, but it isn’t
  always enough.
• Wisdom and life-experience don’t always agree. There is no ambiguity in wisdom
  … there is always a right answer. Experience is full of ambiguity.
• Experience illuminates, deepens, enlarges and extends wisdom.
• Wisdom does not require the pursuit of an honest relationship with God.
• God created order, and He must either maintain it or restore it. We are unable to
  affect the order of things.
• It’s easier to function in a tiny world, but it doesn’t have the fullness of life that
  God intends for us. To expand the size of your world means you are realizing the
  most of God’s potential for you.
• Job was willing to go to war with God, in order to get the answers he needed.
  Reflections this Afternoon:
• We are all Job, sooner or later. Job’s losses were compressed into a short period
  of time. But in the last moments of this life, I too will face the loss of everything
  (possessions, freedom, health, friends, family, etc.). My world may shrink rapidly,
  like Job, or it may take a few decades …. But it will happen. We all will be asked
  the same questions: Do I love God because of what He blesses me with?… or as
  my life is deconstructed, bit by bit, “Will I distrust Him? Get mad at Him for the
  things I have lost? Reject Him because my life has not been fair?
• Job successfully wrestled with God, like Jacob did. I believe Jacob/Job were
  blessed for their strenuous efforts. But, it wasn’t easy or cheap for either of them.
• I am afraid of turning bitter towards God, as my life shrinks down to nothing, as
  the list of my unfulfilled dreams grows longer, and as I struggle to live worthwhile
  up the last moment of my life.
  Notes from Session #3 on Job:
• Unfair suffering is worth enduring if it brings more intimacy with God.
• Life is unmanageable with only wisdom to guide us. Intimacy with God is the only
  antidote to chaos and injustice.
• A lack of intimacy with God will allow chaos to overwhelm a person. Intimacy with
  God won’t prevent chaos, but it will allow a person to survive it in a worthwhile
  manner.
• God’s warmth and compassion is what we need in order to endure the worst
  things of life.
• Getting older means I am being steadily uncreated.
• God is a creator as well as an un-creator.
  Notes from Session #4 on Job:
• The Fall broke our ability to earn righteousness by our works. But, it opened up
  the possibility for God to use the tool of “destruction” in the hands of His
  Providence. He was free to destroy His creation in the flood, even as He chose to
  save a few.
• Job felt a great loss in the prior closeness of his relationship with God. He
  desperately wanted it back. He fought with God to get back the level of intimacy
  that once was his. But, God wanted a deeper love with Job… a truer
  relationship… a purer piety.
• God wants to be known in a DYNAMIC way, not a static, formulaic way.
  Chaos can break through at any time.
• Job was forced to let go of his “less mature” relationship based on service,
  sacrifice, obedience… in order to get a “more mature” relationship based on
  gracious love and friendship and trust.
• God’s full intentions and ultimate plans are unknowable.
• To live worthwhile, I must increase my tolerance, acceptance and resilience in the
  face of chaos and personal destruction. If I do, I will find a deeper friendship with
  God.
• A free man dealing with a free God, a wild man dealing with a wild God.