“Follow[ing] the Lamb” Day by Day

It seems a repeated question or point of interest people have regarding religious life is about what a typical day is life for us.

In today’s gospel, we hear about Andrew and Peter spending the day with Jesus.  Actually, this would be the first of many.  This passage, in which John the Baptist points out “the Lamb of God” to these Apostles reminds me, too, of a verse which is often alluded to in regard to religious life: Revelation 14:4 refers to those who “follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”

Like the early Apostles, we as Christians, and especially as religious Sisters, are to follow Jesus on a daily basis.

So, back to a typical day, right?

For me, there is no real ‘typical’ day.  Each day is different.  I work different shifts and different things come up.  Nonetheless, I’ll try to illustrate what one typical day might look like.  I hope you don’t get bored with details…

Regardless of the work schedule, I usually start the day in chapel.  It is important for me to spend that time beholding the Lamb, as the Baptist instructs.

The Constitutions for our Congregation direct us to daily spend one half hour in meditation and another half hour in other private prayer.  I try to start off my day with this, although sometimes I run out of time and have to finish up later.  Such was the case this morning.  We take turns leading prayer and picking songs for Mass, so this week I had to get a breviary ready for a visitor who would be praying with us.  After morning prayer, I needed to make preparations in chapel for Mass before grabbing breakfast and coming to work at the front desk.

Today, my reception desk shift lasts until noon.  During this time, I’ve done some more office work and also worked on embroidering a dish towel for sale.

After lunch, I will have a chance to finish up on my curtailed prayers from this morning before “Reading Hour.”  Twice a week, I read a story book aloud to our residents.  At present, we are enjoying Christmas stories.

I’m not quite sure what the rest of the afternoon will hold.  I hope to take some residents around on an “indoor walk” later.  Then, at 5 p.m., I will give the receptionist her supper break.

We eat supper at 5:30 p.m., followed by evening prayer together in chapel. This will be my first night off since last Thursday from doing aide work.

Hopefully, this evening, we’ll be able to get together for our semi-weekly spiritual book discussion.

Usually, there are some complications that work their way in too, as I spend my day striving to “follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”

I can only pray that I follow Him a little more closely and faithfully with each passing day…be it typical or not.