Rule of Benedict 45
March 28, 2010
Benedict continues dealing with humility in verses 9-13 of Chapter 7 of his rule. Previously he spoke of Jacob’s ladder. He continues on the same theme.
The sides of the same ladder we understand to be our body and soul, in which the call of God has placed various steps of humility or discipline, which we must ascend. The first step of humility, then, is that a person always keeps the fear of God before his eyes (Ps 36:2), avoiding forgetfulness: that he is ever mindful of all that God has commanded; that those who despise God will be consumed in hell for their sins; and that he always considers that life everlasting is prepared for those who fear God. And keeping himself at all times from sin and vice, whether of thoughts, tongue, eyes, hands, feet, or his own will, let him thus hasten to cast away the desires of the flesh. Let him consider that he is always beheld from heaven by God, and that his actions are everywhere seen by the eye of the Divine Majesty, and are every hour reported to God by the angels.
Two thoughts: one, humility is not a passive stance. We can do something to humble ourselves before almighty God by living in awe of God, not forgetting his ways, not giving free will to our sinful nature. Two, that our lives are open books, lived in the presence of God. We can hide nothing, not with figs, not with twigs, not with brick or mortar, not with denial. The Divine Majesty pays attention to our lives. We give account. We live in the company of angels, open to the cosmos to see. What we do in the dark, is revealed in the light. Not for condemnation but for mercy.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. I desire to climb this ladder of humility but with God’s enabling. The upward mobility that I seek is from an external show of humility to the internal height of self-denial, and holy self-love. I desire to live by the fear of the Lord as guide and I desire to live in obedience so that the crown of righteousness I receive from your hand can be placed at your feet: “Lord you showed mercy. I give back to you the gift of humility.”
Lord Jesus, have mercy. Amen.
Your Family an Incarnational Community
August 14, 2009
Here is an encouraging story I recently received from a good friend of mine. She is the mother of four whose husband works for Sprint. Their family is part of a missional community wrestling to discover what it looks like in tangible ways to be a representation of God’s Kingdom on earth now.
“Over four years ago our small group from church decided that it would be great to go and serve together. We set up a date to bring a meal to the Ronald McDonald House, and since then have come back every month to help out. ( provides a temporary home for families with children who are critically ill or seriously injured) Through the years we have become friends with several families who call Ronald McDonald House their home away from home. One of my favorite stories to share about RMH is the night my 5 year old son, Cooper, was playing with a little boy who has cancer and was undergoing chemo. They were laughing and pretending to jump like frogs when the little boy began to cough and wanted his mother to hold him. Cooper then reached up and began to rub his back to calm him. He was learning what it meant to “be Jesus” someone in pain.. The mother looked at me with tears in her eyes and my heart broke for this family.
Another image that sticks in my mind is Dave going around the room loving each and every one of the families who are there. You can see the pain and confused look in the parent’s eyes as they struggle to make sense of suffering their child is enduring. But Dave sits with each one of them. He doesn’t say much, but he listens a lot. With great compassion, he enters into their pain. As he listen’s he writes down their name and prayer request. Sometimes he prays for them then and there but usually he brings the request to the next time our small group gathers and there we will remember and pray for the families together. As I continue to look around the room at RMH I’m encouraged as I see my family and friends “being Jesus” to these families who are going through circumstances too horrible for my mind to fully understand. I pray that somehow the small acts of love being performed by our small community of friends will somehow make a difference. What a blessing Ronald McDonald House is to us all.”
What strikes you about this story?
How do you imagine experiences like going to Ronald McDonald House will shape and form young kids like Cooper?
Mark 3: 13-19
August 1, 2009
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve [a] that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Mark 3:13-19
I think it is safe to say that when Mark writes that Jesus was up on the mountain he is telling his audience that Jesus was in communion with the Father. Luke’s version adds “to pray”. Matthew paints Jesus as the new Moses who is with God on the Mountain. In other words I think it is extremely important to notice that the appointment of the 12 was birthed out of prayer and intimacy with God. “Appointed” is literally “he made.”
Jesus appoints the 12 with a double assignment; “to be with him and to be sent out”. At first these two assignments appear to be mutually exclusively (and we sometimes still treat them this way), but I don’t think the disciples need to choose between being with Jesus or being sent out. Joseph Ratzinger writes, “They must be with him in order to get to know him; in order to attain that intimate acquaintance with him that could not be given to the “people”-who saw him only from the outside and took him for a prophet, a great figure in the history of religions, but were unable to perceive his uniqueness (Matt. 16:13).”
Being with Jesus and being sent by him clearly belong together. The Apostles have to learn to be with him in a way that enables them, even when they go to the ends of the earth, to be with him still. Being with him includes the missionary dynamic by its very nature, since Jesus’ whole being is mission.”
The first task they they are given is preaching. to announce the Good News of God’s in breaking kingdom. However, the preaching of God’s Kingdom is never just words, never just instruction. It is an incarnational event, just like Jesus, God’s Word is person.
In your experience has “being with Jesus” been fused together with “being sent out?”
How have you been able to keep from separating worship and evangelism?
Can the two even be separated without damaging the integrity of both?
For more thoughts along these lines check out Jesus of Nazareth by Joseph Ratzinger.
Praying Colossians 6
July 2, 2009
Praying Colossians 1:13-14
Affirming (what we know from Scripture) the identity we know God to be is a form of prayer. Repeating to a person (face-to-face) their qualities as as person is affirming, edifying, pleasing, and honoring. Although Paul speaks of the person of Christ in the third person, changing his compliments of Christ to a direct address to Christ makes it a prayer of adoration or praise. “O how I love him, how I adore him” becomes “you are the one I love, you are the one I adore…” Here are Paul’s words from the ESV.
1:13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves, 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus, your powerful light-life is able to overcome any darkness-life in me and your church. Our hope is in you for a daily exchange of kingdoms. We give you our darkness; we receive your light. Day by day, minute by minute, your presence is a light unto our feet, the sun of life unto our path. Thank you for this exchange, the best deal we have ever had. Jesus we also love what our Father did in you and what you did in him to bring us back to you from that kingdom of evil. We are not alone. We are billions strong. We couldn’t have made it back on our own, that’s for sure. You lived in that kingdom, you suffered in that kingdom, you remained devoted to God, our Father, then you died in that kingdom. Now my sins are forgiven, separated from me, beyond your sight, hidden deep in the cross of your death and life. How vast is that life of yours to absorb all sin! You deserve all the praise. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Praying Colossians 3
May 13, 2009
In this series of praying through Scriptures, I am learning that in order to pray the Scriptures, time is needed for reflection, for paying attention to the presence of God, and for paying attention to the condition of my soul, and my heart’s desire. I have the impression that Paul, though he did not know he was writing Scripture, he was in deep prayer (communion with God) and that this letter was not just dictated but breathed by God through Paul for the sake of the the Colossians, North Carolinians, Topekans, and Kansas Citians.
1:5 Your faith and love have arisen from the hope laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel 1:6 that has come to you. Just as in the entire world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, so it has also been bearing fruit and growing among you from the first day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.
Prayer: Jesus, I am experiencing the truth of these words of your servant Paul and the Holy Spirit. I am tasting faith and love that spring from hope. I see brokenness around me always and this present brokenness, which I know will be put to rights, inspires me to express love, trust, and faithfulness in my walk with you and for the sake of others. Your word is alive in me. What more do I want?
I also pray that the power of the gospel, which is foolishness to paganism, will continue to spread in our world, the only hope our world has. Help me and my brothers and sisters in Christ, in our various societies of Jesus, to increase in our faith and undrstanding of the unlimited truth that is the gospel. This is good news about you, it’s you, and by default is unfathomable. Give me my share of it. I trust you for it. Give my borthers and sister in Christ their shares of it and together we will be the wiser for it. Amen. Christ have mercy.
Rule of Benedict 29
May 10, 2009
This week’s reading of the Rule (the way of life) of Benedict is from verses 34-38 of the fourth chapter. See previous posts for other entries. Going through the Rule methodically has been eye opening of the vision, intentionality, and means of living and loving in community of like-minded followers of Christ. Personally I am challenged by its rigorous demands, demands that are no less than what Christ demanded of his own.Today’s exhortations of life in community are just as challenging as others. There is no more thoroughly biblical rule than that of Benedict. Notice the biblical content and the added references.
Do not be proud, nor given to much wine (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3). Do not be a glutton, nor given to much sleeping, nor slothful (Rom 12:11).
Comment: Benedict saw that there is a direct relationship between our bodily appetites and needs and the possibility of failing to follow Christ faithfully. Historically, Christians were austere people. They were not given to lavish lifestyles. They did not confuse heavenly blessings with material possessions, and earthly pleasures. They sought to live ethically upon the earth while at the same time celebrating God’s goodness. I seldom hear of God’s blessings today without a monetary mention as if this mattered most.
Lectio: Gluttony leads to sleepiness leads to laziness. Deliver us O Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I consider the first and most important blessing in my life is You. Helping to not seek any substitute. Lord, have mercy on me!
Gluttony, being given to too much sleep, and laziness are hardly ever the subjects of preaching/teaching in the church. Why not? Why is fasting, prayer vigils through the night, and industriousness not considered needful disciplines in the church?
Guided Prayer Retreat
May 4, 2009
Do you ever desire to set aside more time for prayer? Maybe even a whole day dedicated to listening and discovering what God is saying? But perhaps you haven’t been certain on how to best organize such a day. Or maybe you thought it would be helpful to participate with like minded people in such an endeavor.
If this is the case in your spiritual journey, then we hope you can join us for a one day guided prayer retreat on Thursday, June 4th here in Kansas City. We will be meeting from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Tall Oaks Conference Center. Tall Oaks is located in Linwood, KS half way between Kansas City and Lawrence. For a map and directions to Tall Oaks you can go here.
Our prayer “guide” for the day will be Dr. Liam Atchison. Liam has been a seminary professor and church planting pastor, and is an historian and teacher. He and his wife Precious co-authored a book called Grief, published by NavPress. Liam is a graduate of Kansas State University, where he received his PhD in the history of hermeneutics, and Dallas Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Theology. He was founding editor of the Christian cultural journal Mars Hill Review and has written a number of articles on history and on spiritual growth. He is the founder of Emmanuel House, a graduate theological study center in Manhattan, KS and Lincoln, NE that emphasizes knowing God and knowing ourselves as a theological basis for becoming effective readers of the biblical text, people, and culture.
Liam directed the biblical counseling program at Colorado Christian University in the halcyon days of the 1990s, where Dr. Larry Crabb was both a colleague and mentor. Liam went on to be a founder and the academic dean at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary’s Seattle (Now Mars Hill Graduate School) campus, before founding Emmanuel House in 2002. He was the ancient history teacher at K-State from 2005 to 2008, when he was nominated for Professor of the Year by his undergraduate students (he didn’t win, but what was cool was that the national professor of the year won!). A coffee snob from his years in the Pacific Northwest, Liam sees baseball as a spiritual exercise, loves telling stories, and seriously, seriously bleeds purple.
The cost of the one day retreat will be a very reasonable $15 (which even includes lunch!). If you are interested in joining us or have questions please leave a comment or email me at brad.brisco@gmail.com
Hope you can join us on June 4th.
What’s your reputation?
May 1, 2009
I was poking around on the website for Adullum, an incarnational community that has taken up residency throughout the Denver area, when I was reminded of this amazing quote by Roman Emperor Julian,
Atheism (Christianity) has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not one single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them.
It appears the early church was known by the way she loved strangers.
She was know in the way she loved and cared for those forgotten and left alone.
She had the reputation for extending love to those who played on the other team.
What is the reputation of the church in America today? If a leader in you city were to write down the first three things that came to mind when they thought about your church, would their list describe Jesus?
Shaped by the Story
April 17, 2009
What happens when we read Scripture as God’s Story and with great determination figure out how to insert our lives into that Story, rather than trying to figure out when and where we can fit God into our busy lives?
In his book, Shaped by the Story, Michael Novelli provides the following summary of God’s story with the thread of kingdom running throughout.
“From the very beginning’s of the story, God expresses a desire to live in close harmony with God’s creation and for God’s creation to enjoy his kingdom rule. God created humans as image-bearers of the divine, continuing God’s creativity and care of creation on earth. Then humans decided to create their own kingdoms, where they could live according to their own desires.
So God set in motion a kingdom agenda to restore creation to wholeness. Story after Bible story describes the amazing lengths God went to in order to extend grace to us-to give humans opportunities to reconnect our broken relationship with him. God even came and dwelled with the Jewish nation-a community God chose to distinctly live while reflecting the ways of God the King.
The apex of the kingdom storyline is found in Jesus. Jesus announced the kingdom of God breaking into history, displaying God’s restorative power in his life, miracles, and words. At the cross Jesus gained decisive victory over evil for us, liberating us from the power of sin. Then Jesus entered as the firstborn into the -resurrection life of restored creation. God’s Spirit was sent to continue the restorative work, empowering a global community of people called the church to embody God’s kingdom, join in God’s actions, and tell God’s Story. to the world.
How is your faith community emodying God’s kingdom in your community? How do you see your church fitting into God’s redemptive story? What “part” or “role” will you “act out” today?
Are you attractive?
April 10, 2009
“as I am lifted up from the earth, I will attract everyone to me.” - Jesus
To be “lited up” was a nice way of reffering to being tortured to death on a Roman stake. Jesus in his humiliating death became attractive. It wasn’t power, but weakness. It wasn’t in dominating, but in being troutured that Jesus became attractive, compelling. I don’t follow this “way.” I seek power and control as neceesary means to being attractive (liked by others ). Churches and organizations I have been a part of have sought to be excellent, succesful, and the best in an effort to be popular. This seems contrary to the way of Jesus.
Another thing that strikes me is just what is attractive? In John’s telling it is Jesus. Are we supposed to develop programs and services that are “attractive” or are we, the community of Jesus, the tangible body of Christ on the earth to be attractive? I believe we are to be attractive and not because we have it all together, have power or control of things or are able to manage life well. Our attractiveness comes, when like Jesus, we are “lifted up from the earth” as an offering and sacrifice to God. The churches attractiveness should be in her (people’s) willingness to choose and embrace suffering for the sake of the world, which itself is broken and suffering. We will be attractive when we love and serve rather than judge and ignore.
Lord be gracious to me, that I may be crucified with you and may you be my strength springing up out of my weakness. Grant me the grace to embrace those who are suffering. Allow me to be part of a community that chooses suffering over comfort and that places others before self.
Rule of Benedict 22
March 20, 2009
In case you haven’t followed these comments from the beginning, what you read in these posts on the Rule of Benedict, are my simple reflections by way of journaling through the Rule. I’m no expert in monastic living, Catholic theology, or Benedict. I am inspired and drawn to comment on the Rule of Benedict, as a discipline for journaling. My comments are mostly my own but at times they are inspired by Norvene Vest’s running commentary on the Rule called Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary on the Rule of St Benedict. When I quote I give due credit.
Chapter 3 continues and ends with verses 7-13 (The translator, Fr Luke Dysinger, OSB entitled this chapter Summoning the Community for Counsel):
Let all, therefore, follow the Rule in all things as their guide, and from it let no one rashly turn aside. Let no one in the monastery follow the will of his own heart: nor let anyone presume insolently to contend with his abbot, either within or without the monastery. But if he should dare to do so, let him be subjected to the Rule. The abbot himself, however, must do everything with the fear of God, and in observance of the Rule: Knowing that he will have without doubt to render to God, the most just judge, an account of all his judgments.
If it happens that less important matters have to be transacted for the advantage of the monastery, let him take counsel with the seniors only, as it is written: Do all things with counsel, and you will not afterwards repent of it (Sir 32:24).
Comments: The Rule to live by for Benedict is an elaboration on the Law of Love, the Rule that must govern all Christian relationships. Sobering. In John 13:35 (and too many other places to name) Jesus describes and prescribes the life of community, loving relationships between disciples glorifying God. This Rule of love attracts others to God and to Christ.
Here’s a way of life (A Rule) not many of us adopt because of our rampant individualism and misunderstanding of freedom: Live well in communities of loving relationships, live willingly and satisfied under the authority of someone who has much input and guidance into our lives, and live by a well defined rhythm of life (or common commitments) that defines and trains us as loving apprentices of Jesus in the life of the kingdom.
Lectio: Living in obedience to God is desired. Living into the spiritual direction of another human being causes chafing in me. But it is one thing that is needful.
Prayer: Lord, you have placed many in my path who can input of the abundance of the Spirit into my lives, and many who are in tune with you to give counsel from the ancient paths. Thank you. Make me a completed listener, hearing with my head, heart, and in obedience. Amen, Lord, have mercy.
Rule of Benedict 21
March 18, 2009
Chapter 3 of the Rule is called “Summoning the Community for Counsel.” Verses 1-6 are quoted below:
As often as any important matters have to be transacted in the monastery, let the abbot call together the whole community, and himself declare what is the question to be settled. And, having heard the counsel of the brethren, let him weigh it within himself and then do what he shall judge most expedient. We have said that all should be called to council, because it is often to the younger that the Lord reveals what is best. But let the brethren give advice with all the restraint of humility, and not presume stubbornly to defend their own opinion; but rather let the matter rest with the abbot’s discretion, that all may submit to whatever he shall consider best. Yet, even as it becomes disciples to obey their master, so does it behoove him to order all things prudently and with justice.
Benedict is ever mindful of the influence of the abbot, or leader of the community. He gives him the final responsibility to decide on matters related to community life but often adds to his authority elements such as prudence and justice. This is good advice.
He is also mindful of the valuable contributions that the younger ones in the community can offer the community as a whole.
Although very few Christians, relatively speaking, live in cloistered communities, the advice of Benedict pertains even in communities that are not cloistered, which is how almost all of us live.
Cloistered or uncloistered communities have to make decisions constantly. How does your community address questions or spiritual matters that concern it? What community helps you with answers to your life?
Lectio: “It is often to the youngest that God reveals what is the best” answer to questions of community. Now that I’ve turned 60, and most consider me old, I must be careful to keep listening to the younger voices in my community.
Prayer: Lord, your voice is your voice. Your sheep, whether young or old, know your voice. Help me to listen as attentively to the younger sheep as to the older sheep. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Rule of Benedict 20
March 16, 2009
Verses 37-40 close out chapter 2.
Let the abbot know that he who has undertaken the government of souls, must prepare himself to render an account of them. And whatever may be the number of the brethren under his care, let him be certainly assured that on the Day of Judgment he will have to give an account to the Lord of all these souls, as well as of his own. And thus, being ever fearful of the coming judgment of the shepherd concerning the state of the flock committed to him, while he is careful on others’ accounts, he will be solicitous also on his own. And so, while correcting others by his admonitions, he will be himself cured of his own defects.
Lectio: Hebrews 13:17 is inspiring this section of the Rule. It says this: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Lord, I hear you saying that in correcting others, I would also pay attention to my own defects so that in the process of correcting others I too may be cured. The leader who humbly corrects others will be cured also by the very same correction.
Prayer: Lord, you have designed that the humble receive your correction even while correcting others. Help me to be willing to stand corrected in midst of correcting others. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Rule of Benedict 18
March 10, 2009
Chapter 2:23-29 (of 40 verses). Benedict says this:
Should punishment be part of the Christian’s Education? Should any Christian judge anyone else, or act toward them on the basis of that judgment? Do we have a responsibility to correct those in the wrong? Should we err in not doing it or in doing it?
For in his teaching the bot should always observe the recommendation of the Apostle, in which he says: Reprove, convince, rebuke (2 Tim 4:2). That is, he should sit his action to the circumstances, mingling gentleness with sternness; showing now the rigor of a master, now the loving affection of a father, so as sternly to rebuke the undisciplined and restless, and to exhort the obedient, mild, and patient to advance in virtue. And such as are negligent and haughty we charge him to reprove and correct. Let him not shut his eyes to the faults of offenders; but as soon as they appear, let him strive, as he has the authority for that, to root them out, remembering the fate of Eli, the priest of Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:11-4:18). Those of good disposition and understanding let him correct, for the first or second time, with words only; but such as are troublesome and hard of heart, proud or disobedient, let him chastise with bodily stripes at the very first offense, knowing that it is written: The fool is not corrected with words (Prov 29:19), and again, Strike your son with a rod and you will have freed his soul from death (Prov 23:14).
Lectio: “Let him not shut his eyes” these words made an impression. In the previous part of the chapter the abbot is to make an effort to discern the state of those under his care. Here he is not to shut his eyes if he sees “bad” and correct it. I certainly would not use Benedict’s physical ways but do I shut my eyes so that I don’t have to deal with wrong in others? Who am I to see the wrong in others and not in me? Are my motives pure to correct others? Do I have enough love to truth somone who is in the wrong? Is it just fear of a conflict that patalyzes? But the question is: Is there fear of the Lord and of judgment (present in both passages of Timothy and Samuel).
Prayer: Lord, neither let me shut my eyes on wrong, mine and others’, nor be eager to find it in others or in me. Let me be convinced by your Holy Spirit and enabled by him to speak the truth in love. Amen, Lord, have mercy.
Rule of Benedict 17
March 9, 2009
Chapter 2:16-22 of the Rule of Benedict speaks to me regarding the issue of discernment of those we lead. Perhaps something else will grab you.
How do you see how others in your circles of influence are growing in Christ? Beside prayer, what do you look for as marks in a person who is growing in Christ?
The abbot is not to make any distinction of person in the monastery. He should not love one more than another unless he finds one better in good actions and obedience. A free-born man is not to be put before a slave who becomes a monk, except for some other reasonable cause. Although, if justice requires it, the abbot may see fit to change anyone’s rank. Otherwise let each keep to his regular place, because whether we a re slaves or free, we are all one in Christ (Gal 3:28), Eph 6:8) and serve alike in the army of the one Lord; for with God there in son partiality among peersons (Rom 2:11).
Solely in this only are we distinguished in his sight: if we are found to surpass others in good works and in humility. Therefore, let the abbot show equal love to all and impose on all the same discipline, according to their merits.
Lectio: Discernment is the thought that kept grabbing my attention here. Though the word is not in the text, I am reading it into the abbot may see fit. This ability to see, I am calling discernment. How can I see unless Someone show me and how can Someone show me unless I am paying attention closely?
Comment: It is a difficult thing to measure spiritual growth (in others, more than in myself). But the fruit of the spirit is observable in the life (interactions between Chrstians) of the commnity. Norvene Vest, the commentator on the Rule, speaks of the “work of the heart the hidden action of amenability to the Spirit’s graces, the evolving disposition toward the mind of Christ–all of these are manifest for the one who has eyes to see and ears to hear.” Norvene mentions two concrete evidences that Benedict will elaborate on later: Good works, and Humilty/obedience.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see your work in me. Help me to see your work in those around me. Help to rejoice when I see it. And to weep at the absence of evidennce. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Rule of Benedict 15
March 2, 2009
Chapter 2:6-10
Let the abbot remember always that at the fearful judgment of God both his (the abbot’s) teaching and the obedience of his disciples–both of these matters–will be examined. The abbot must, therefore, know that the shepherd will be considered at fault if the father of the household finds that the sheep have yielded no profit. If, on the other hand, he has exercised all pastoral diligence over a restless and disobedient flock, always striving to heal their unhealthy ways; then the shepherd will be acquitted at the judgment of the Lord, and will say to the Lord with the prophet: I have not hidden your justice in my heart; I have declared your truth and your salvation (Ps 40:11), but they condemened and spurned me (Isa 1:2; Ezek 20:27). Then at last the sheep disobedient to his care will be punished by overpowering death.
Lectio: The words that arose in my mind as I read are these: agonize by striving for the disobedient. It seems that when there is a failure of obedience in the flock, the shpeherd must do some self-examination as to his reponsibility in the matter! Sobering! Members of the flock must also do the same.
The image I get is that of a pastor (abbot) agonizing over the disobedience of the prodigals in the churches, of those under their care. After all the role they play is that of paterfamilias. All too often we may give up too quickly on those who don’t listen. We may not agonize over them, struggle to help them understand the consequences of their disobedience.
Here’s a hard saying: We cannot take the spiritual formation of every soul, obedience to the faith, and total devotion to the whatsoever he has commanded us as optional for the church. Christianity is no smorgasbord. We feel if we present the truth and people don’t buy into it, it’s their choice and that’s the end of the matter. Benedict seems to be teaching more responsibility, more perseverance, more striving, even agonizing, in the work of abbot or leader, or true shepherd. Paul talks about the burdens. 2Co 11:28; Galatians 6:2 say respectively: Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches and Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, when I have given up on others too soon. Forgive the sheep who fail to recognize your voice and the shepherd for failing to persevere with those who do. Amen. Christ, have mercy.
Rule of Benedict 14
March 1, 2009
Chapter two of the Rule of Benedict is divided into 40 verses. I am following the translation of Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB (Order of Saint Benedict) as found in Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict by Norvene Vest, an Oblate OSB. An oblate is an adherent of the rule but is not cloistered, that is, does not live in a monastery.
Chapter 2 is about the kind of person an Abbot (the leader/father of the monastery) ought to be. I don’t imagine any of our readers being Abbots or Oblates for that matter. But we can transfer what is said of the Abbot to anyone who is privileged to lead the people of God. I imagine many of us are in that category.
Verses 1-5: An Abbot who is worthy to govern a monastery must always remember what he is called, and fulfill his title through his deeds. For he is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, since he is addressed by a title of His (Christ’s), as the Apostle has said: You have received the spirit of adoption of sons by which we cry, “abba, father” (Roma 8:15).
Therefore, the abbot should never teach or enact or command anything contrary to the teaching of the Lord; rather let his commands and his teaching, like the leaven of divine justice, suffuse the minds of his disciples.
Lectio: “Remember what you are called”. These words caught my attention. Whether the people we lead call us pastor, father, leader, brother, remember that what people need from us is a relationship that is pastoral, fatherly, or brotherly. By implication then the people we lead, direct, or guide are children, brothers, recipients of our care. This identity is more important than say, deacon, Sunday School teacher, song leader, or preacher, which are functional rather than relational terms. They tell us what we do not who we are. A conviction I have is that we function out of who we are: Christlike leaders.
The other side of this coin is being the one who receives direction rather than give it. A pupil rather than a teacher. One who is being formed rather than forming others. Who do I consider a guide, a father of faith in my life?
Do you consider the ministry of spiritual direction for the spiritual formation of the character important? Do you have a spiritual director? Has he/she been helpful in the formation of your character?
Prayer: Lord, Shall I give direction without receiving any? Help me to submit to someone who is Christ-like. Amen. Christ, have a mercy.
Rule of Benedict 13
February 27, 2009
In chapter one of the Rule of Benedict we are treated to the Saint’s preference of the kind of monk and monastery he wishes to have. In this chapter he names 4 types of monks: The cenobites, the anchorites, the sarabaites, and in today’s verses (10-13) he names the last, the gyrovagues. I quote the verses:
The fourth kind of monks are those called gyrovagues, who spend their whole lives seeking hospitality in province after province, monastery after monastery, staying three or four days at a time; always wandering and never stable, they are slaves to self-will and the snares of appetite: they are in all things worse than the sarabaites.
Of the most wretched life of all these it is better to remain silent than to speak. Leaving these behind us, therefore, let us proceed, with the help of God, to make provision for the cenobites–the strong kind of monks.
Lectio: With nothing good to say about the wretched existence of the gyrovagues, Benedict prefers silence to speech; grace and love, to condemnation. Benedict is a discerning leader.
This is what I heard and am meditating on: You have nothing to say? Say nothing. You don’t think your words edify? It is best to keep them inside and not sound like a clanging cymbal and a noisy gong. Jesus kept silence when his life and ours hung in the balance and I am sure many other times. That takes training of the will. Our tendency is unbridled speech. Too much to say if only some will listen. Say little and many will listen when you have something to say. I don’t have to say everything that comes into the mind. Too much talk is a human luxury no one could afford.
Experience also taught gracious Benedict that stability, staying put in one place for a long time, if not until death, provides a grounding in God, and helps overcome a life governed by self-will rather than by the will of God. Stability is one of the vows Benedictines take, if my memory serves me well. Doing life together with a few other people for life is a feat not many accomplish. Loving the same people, foibles and all is no easy thing. Serving God with others in the same congregation for life for life. Is that ever a consideration when better job opportunities come knocking? Heck, 50% or more of us can’t do it with a wife/husband! Mobility has its drawbacks. By raising all these questions I am becoming aware that stability is no longer a core value to us as a society or perhaps as a society of Jesus.
Is this true in your experience? What do you think we gain by stability? What do you think we lose without it?
Prayer: It is good for brothers to dwell together in harmony in your presence, dear Lord. Amen. Lord, have mercy.
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