Chapter 20: The ideal of true reverence in prayer
When we come, then, with our requests in prayer before the Lord, who is God of all creation, is it not all the more important that we should approach him in a spirit of real humility and a devotion that is open to him alone and free from distracting thoughts?
(From Ch. 20 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
I understand real humility as true self-knowledge. That is, I come to know myself as someone grounded, not in my ego, but in the indwelling Christ. I'm helped to free myself from the distracting thoughts of my ego by the devotion of selfless attention to Him.
I understand real humility as true self-knowledge. That is, I come to know myself as someone grounded, not in my ego, but in the indwelling Christ. I'm helped to free myself from the distracting thoughts of my ego by the devotion of selfless attention to Him.
Benedict reminds me: Walk humbly with your God.
ReplyDelete"Surrender to God and he will do everything for you," reads the antiphon for today's morning prayers. Taking that phrase to prayer and meditation helps me to accept my weaknesses of distraction and desire. Surrendering and trusting in faith, I am present to God.
ReplyDelete