Saint Bruno of Cologne lived during the 11th century, and was a well learned and schooled man. He was a professor, and eventually Chancellor of his diocese, who would go on to begin the Carthusian order. The Catrthusians are hermits who live austere and strict lives. While we might think of hermits as being quiet and and simple people; Bruno was not that. Rather he was a scholar and a leader. The priests of his diocese wanted him to be Bishop, of which he refused. He sought the contemplative life instead.
Monks, Nuns, and Hermits, can teach us a good deal of about discipleship and living Christian values and virtues. Prayer and reflection are the mainstay of their life, they rise in the morning praising God, and retire in the evening asking for pardon and mercy. To be sure these people are not wallflowers, but are active in ongoing formation of their spiritual and personal lives. Because they are honest with themselves, they are always in the middle of conversion and transformation.
These contemplatives also become a stumbling block for us. When we complain about prayer being hard, or even finding the time to do things, these holy people become a sign of what we could and ought to be. Their lifestyle challenges us towards a simplicity and firmness of faith.
I am not called to a hermits life, but men like St. Bruno are a reminder that there is a different, and even better way, of expressing ourselves as followers of Christ.
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