Rule of Benedict 3
February 11, 2009
Prologue cont… Verses 8-13
“Let us then at last arise, since the Scripture stirs us up saying: It is time now for us to rise from sleep (Romans 13:11). And our eyes being open to the deifying light, let us hear with wondering ears what the Divine Voice admonishes us, daily crying out: Today if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95:-8). And again, You have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Rev. 2:7).
And what does he say? Come children, listen to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord (Psalm 34:12). Run while you have the light of life, lest the darkness of death seize hold of you (John 12:35).”
Wow! What a stringing of Bible thoughts together into a whole! St Benedict’s Rule is chock full of Scripture Do you sense the urgency in the voice of this ancient wise man? He is writing in the middle of the 6th century A.D. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_of_Nursia). He is quoting Scripture left and right combining ideas to create a reality he wanted to convey. Her’s the reality: Rise, Today, Run. I wonder what he was experiencing that gave rise to his message of urgency to hear God’s voice. Whatever it was for him, I hear the same voice today: “Rise today and run to me.”
Prayer Response: As the prodigal I run to you, my Father, with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength. Only in my running I find myself still compared to your sprinting toward me. Let no part of me slack off or be left behind. In you alone I participate in the divine nature you grace me with (2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 5:1-2). “I will arise and go to Jesus” exchanging my darkness with your light. I arise with Benedict and with my brothers and sisters in Christ so that together we may hear your admonishment. Amen. Lord, have mercy (kyrie eleison, Christe eleison).
What do you find inspiring in the verses above that St Benedict strings together?
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There is life in his words. There is life in his invitation to “Come children, listen to me…” I am thankful for the grace to hear his voice which bids me to come. I too am inspired to rise up and run to the One who loves me and yes, I too see him sprinting towards me.