Rule of Benedict 28

May 4, 2009

The Rule of Benedict has been translated umpteen times. The translation that I’m using is by Fr. Luke Dysinger, OSB (a Catholic acronym designating the Order of Saint Benedict). For ease of use translators divide the Rule into chapters and verses.

At Missional Order we are committed to learning from all those who followed Christ faithfully before us and are now following him into the life that is truly life in Christ Jesus. Benedict, I believe, is a good teacher of the Way of Christ. The Rule that he left his fellow followers of Christ has stood the test of time as an eminently practical guide.

Chapter 4:29-33

Do not render evil for evil (1 Thess 5:15, 1 Pet 3:9). Do no wrong to anyone; rather, bear patiently the wrong done to yourself. Love you enemies (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:27). o not render cursing for cursing, but rather blessing. bear persecution for justice’s sake (Matt 5:10).

Comment: The New Testament makes it clear that loving those who love us is no great accomplishment. Love of those who don’t is. Loving of those who wish to hurt us is. Loving our enemies is a mandate, not a choice. The reason the New Testament harps on this is because we don’t come by it naturally. We must cultivate it through hours, days, and years (yes years) of intentional formation of our character (heart, soul, mind, social interactions, and body). Benedict discerned this reality from reading the scripture and his way of the spiritually formative life promotes the love of the enemy as a natural way of life, as a first response force in our lives.

Lectio: Do no wrong, bear the wrongs done to you patiently. I get you Jesus. You did it well. You showed me the way. You proved it can be done. I’ve gotten glimpses of it, it’s been rumored possible.

Prayer: Jesus, make me like you able to respond in love when hurt is hurled at me. Make me compassionate, when hate is aimed at me. Make me suffer quietly when it is easier to respond in kind to the sufferings others inflict on me. Amen. Jesus, have mercy.

Your turn: add your prayer to mine if you dare to be vulnerable.

Posted by georges boujakly | Filed Under Continuous Formation, Journaling, Missional Order, Spiritual Formation, St Benedict's Rule 

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