Benedictine Thought & Action

In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into a book club discussion on "Aflame" by travel writer Pico Iyer. They explore why this book—written by a non-religious "pilgrim" who has visited a Benedictine monastery for forty years—is a valuable resource for anyone interested in silence, solitude, and the art of being a guest in another’s tradition. The conversation unpacks the book's central metaphor of fire, contrasting the destructive threat of California wildfires with the Desert Fathers' call to "become aflame" of inner spiritual life. They also discuss the "new monk" perspective and the modern struggle to endure true silence without the distraction of technology.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's fourth and final core value: Lifelong Learning. Far from being a simple endorsement of continuing education or accruing degrees, they reveal that this value is actually a translation of the obscure Benedictine vow conversatio morum—the commitment to the continual transformation of one's life. The hosts discuss the Benedictine "rule for beginners," emphasizing that true learning requires the humility to admit you are never finished and the willingness to "read" reality—nature, relationships, and oneself—with the same intensity as scripture (Lectio). They also touch on the tension between intellectual elitism and true wisdom in American culture.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's third core value: Hospitality. Moving far beyond simple politeness or "being nice," they dig into the radical Benedictine instruction to "treat every guest as Christ." They discuss the inherent difficulty of this command—noting that historically, welcoming Christ got people crucified—and share a striking story about how true intimacy and being "known" can sometimes be terrifying. The conversation covers the "germs" of community life, the necessity of conflict for "sharpening iron," and how real hospitality means holding space for others even when it is difficult.

In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into Mount Marty University's second core value: Community. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the etymology of the word, tracing it to the Latin munus, which fascinatingly means both "responsibility" or "role" and "gift." They use this dual meaning to explore the central tension of community life: balancing the needs of the group with the unique, irreplaceable "gift" of the individual. They share personal stories about feeling truly "received as a gift" at their university, contrasting it with other environments where people are merely "tolerated."

Hosts John and Jason begin their series on Mount Marty University's four core values by tackling the first and most foundational: Awareness of God. They discuss how this value, derived from the 10 Benedictine Hallmarks, is far more than just a religious checkbox. The conversation centers on the Benedictine practice of Lectio (reading), expanding the concept of Lectio Divina (holy reading of scripture) to include a "Lectio of life"—learning to "read" all of reality, including nature, relationships, and personal experience, to find and contemplate the divine presence. Sharing personal stories from monastic life, a pilgrimage on the Camino, and theological touchstones, they explore what it truly means to practice awareness of God.