When we think of monasticism today, we might think of Benedict of Nursia (6th century), or Theresa of Avila (16th century), or Thomas Merton (20th century). But the man who perhaps started the monastic movement in the first place is much less well-know. Antony of Egypt (356) lived a few hundred years earlier than Benedict, and his feast day is today, Friday, January 17….

n this week’s written meditation, I offer some words from a guest poet. Hamza Mohamed is an eighth-grade writer from Minneapolis. He is a member of the After-School writing lab and the Young Author’s council program at his public middle school. As we move closer to Inauguration Day and as we continue to discern how to respond most faithfully to a new political administration, here is written work and some explanatory words from one of our younger citizens. Titled “If I Was President,” this poem was published recently in the book Let This Be Our Anthem: Call to Action from Young Writers to the Next President….

Throughout life there is uncertainty. Uncertainty about the weather, our health, financial outlook, relationships, jobs, what the New Year will bring, etc.

If you were to go through an obstacle course in the dark but a friend who can see in the dark is there to guide you would have to trust their voice and follow instructions, even when it’s scary or doesn’t make sense. That’s what it’s like to trust God in uncertain times.

Life can be confusing and sometimes it’s hard to know what to do or where to go. The good news is that we have a God who loves us, guides us, and understands our struggle.

In Matthew 2:13, we see God guiding Joseph, a person we never hear speak. He trusts God as an angel tells him to go to Egypt to escape from Herod who is searching for Jesus to destroy him. Then when Herod died an angle again appeared in a dream and told Joseph to go to Israel….