Chapter 66: The porter or portress of the monastery
At the entrance to the monastery there should be a wise senior who is too mature in stability to think of wandering about and who can deal with enquiries and give whatever help is required.
(From para. 1 of Ch. 66 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
For me, an inner emotional stability is a fruit of meditation -- or, at least, I'm coming closer in my experience of it. How do I react to difficult people or situations? -- what time do I waste in embellishing personal dramas? -- or, do I place my impulse to repeat an unhealthy pattern at the feet of Christ?
"As soon as anyone knocks, or a poor person calls out the porter will reply, 'Thanks be to God' or 'Your blessing, please' then, with all the gentleness that comes from reverence of God, provides a prompt answer with the warmth of love."
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful goal, to learn to receive all who enter my life with the prayer, "Thanks be to God."