I rushed over to the church to discover Milla playing with her friend who was singing. I quietly sat without their notice and took in all the feels of the spirit that drew me in.
As they finished and noticed me, we chatted for a while. Milla's friend and I had something in common, our catholic upbringing, our love for monastic life, the benedictine rule, and the gregorian chant. She teaches music at the monastery and offered to teach me how to site read. The spirit reminded me of who I am and from where I come. Every now and again we need that. God surely knew I needed that breath of peace in my day as I prepare for five services over the course of three days.
Tonight I am rereading the rule of St. Benedict that I have carried with me through my life's journey and reflecting upon benedictine values as they apply to communal living in the world and in our church.
In the Rule, Benedict tells his monks and nuns that a balance of prayer, work, study, and leisure (renewal) is their way, that the Divine Office is their work (opus dei), and the vows of stability, conversion, and obedience are their commitments. The Divine office is similar to our Daily office. Imagine prayer being your work or a part thereof. It is, to work on deepening our faith, love, commitment, and relationship to our God. How often do you pray throughout your day?
The values of a benedictine life are as follows:
- LOVE OF CHRIST
- LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR
- STABILITY
- HOSPITALITY
- JUSTICE AND PEACE
- OBEDIENCE
- PRAYER
- STEWARDSHIP
- COMMUNITY
- CONVERSATION
- DISCIPLINE
- HUMILITY
The Rule of St. Benedict is timeless. The wisdom of it lies in its flexibility, its tolerance for individual differences, and its openness to change. For over 1500 years, it has remained a powerful and relevant guide for those who would seek God in the ordinary circumstances of life.
Benedictine values are as necessary today as they were in the sixth century. Who could look at the "greed is good" legacy of the times and not desire change? In an era of countless personal and societal sins materialism and racism and the destruction of the earth through waste and carelessness – Benedict's Rule remains a powerful alternative, another way of viewing life and people and things that finds meaning in the ordinary and makes each day a revelation of the divine.
"Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ,
and may he bring us all together to everlasting life."
Rule of Benedict 72:11-12
I am grateful for my encounter with Christ today and for the spirit that moved me. May you too have an encounter that awakens your soul and enlivens your spirit.
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
551-697-6133
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If you would like a pastoral visit or a visit from one of our
Eucharistic Ministers, please contact Mo. Allison.
