Nunc Coepi - Now I Begin (Again)
This idea has been on my mind for some time, and the season of Lent seems like a good time to address it, as both concepts are strongly inward-looking, and seeking a Way of spiritual growth and maturity. (I often think of spiritual growth as spiritual maturation, but that's a topic for another time.)
As a new bishop one of the things one traditionally does is select a motto. Usually taken from sacred scripture. I have chosen instead the Latin phrase, Nunc Coepi.
Nunc Coepi essentially means Now I Begin (Again). I add the parenthetical "Again" because central to the concept is that we all must continually begin, again, and again, and again. The act of beginning again, in fact, never ceases. We fall, and we get up. We fail, and we recommit to doing better, and right now! Not tomorrow, not next week, and certainly not next year... right now, we begin again!
It really is as simple as that.
Make a commitment to improve or advance your spiritual life in some way, be that governing your tongue, reading the Divine Hours, or any other practice or behavior modification that you have decided to enact in your life, and then keep on keeping on, even -no, especially!- when you fail to do so.
Simple? Yes. Without doubt. It doesn't get much simpler than this: make a decision, and do it.
Easy? Oh, no! This is at times incredibly difficult! I struggle with certain behaviors, thoughts, commitments greatly, every day, in some areas failing multiple times each day! This is part of being human. We are frail and weak in a great many ways. But we are also able to will ourselves to continually recommit to that which we believe holds ultimate value.
I invite you to embrace the spirit of Nunc Coepi, pick something in daily life that will improve your spiritual life, and do it, every day, every moment of every day. And when you fail, as you will if this is any challenge at all, dust yourself off, and recommit yourself immediately! Again, and again, and again....
Nunc Coepi!
+Erik
Resources:
How to Pronounce Nunc Coepi: https://youtu.be/Rh77qtTxrTo
A very brief introduction to Fr. Bruno Lanteri https://youtu.be/UaJcadMZNto
BrunoLateri.org https://www.omvusa.org/bruno-lanteri/
A 7-Day Introduction to the Nunc Coepi: https://www.goodcatholic.com/nunc-coepi.tr
As a new bishop one of the things one traditionally does is select a motto. Usually taken from sacred scripture. I have chosen instead the Latin phrase, Nunc Coepi.
Nunc Coepi essentially means Now I Begin (Again). I add the parenthetical "Again" because central to the concept is that we all must continually begin, again, and again, and again. The act of beginning again, in fact, never ceases. We fall, and we get up. We fail, and we recommit to doing better, and right now! Not tomorrow, not next week, and certainly not next year... right now, we begin again!
It really is as simple as that.
Make a commitment to improve or advance your spiritual life in some way, be that governing your tongue, reading the Divine Hours, or any other practice or behavior modification that you have decided to enact in your life, and then keep on keeping on, even -no, especially!- when you fail to do so.
Simple? Yes. Without doubt. It doesn't get much simpler than this: make a decision, and do it.
Easy? Oh, no! This is at times incredibly difficult! I struggle with certain behaviors, thoughts, commitments greatly, every day, in some areas failing multiple times each day! This is part of being human. We are frail and weak in a great many ways. But we are also able to will ourselves to continually recommit to that which we believe holds ultimate value.
I invite you to embrace the spirit of Nunc Coepi, pick something in daily life that will improve your spiritual life, and do it, every day, every moment of every day. And when you fail, as you will if this is any challenge at all, dust yourself off, and recommit yourself immediately! Again, and again, and again....
Nunc Coepi!
+Erik
Resources:
How to Pronounce Nunc Coepi: https://youtu.be/Rh77qtTxrTo
A very brief introduction to Fr. Bruno Lanteri https://youtu.be/UaJcadMZNto
BrunoLateri.org https://www.omvusa.org/bruno-lanteri/
A 7-Day Introduction to the Nunc Coepi: https://www.goodcatholic.com/nunc-coepi.tr
Bishop Erik E. Weaver
Associate Dean Ekklesia Epignostika Seminary
ErikEWeaver@gmail.com
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