Are Meetings Valuable?

In our monastery we have a lot of meetings. Many people have to attend regular meetings at their place of business. Sometimes families hold meetings to try to solve problems. Most of us don't like to go to meetings because we think they're a waste of time.

Recently I read this quote from Peter Maurin that made me stop and rethink my attitude toward meetings:"When you don't know what else to do, keep going to meetings, because Pentecost happened at a meeting." The apostles were confused and fearful after Jesus died, not knowing what to do. They locked themselves in an upper room and had a meeting. They probably proposed a few ideas, but none of them seemed feasible. Some may have argued that the future was hopeless. In the midst of their confusion the Holy Spirit came down upon them and gave them courage and hope. They suddenly began to see more clearly the road ahead.

I often feel that meetings don't accomplish anything. A lot of words are spoken and ideas proposed, but most of the time there are various viewpoints and no decision is reached. So we schedule another meeting. We ask the Spirit to enlighten us and to listen carefully to each other. Eventually someone gets inspired and brings the group together. But it may take a lot of meetings!