WCCM Oblate Blog: Reflections from Daily Reading of the Rule of St. Benedict

WCCM Benedictine Oblates are encouraged to read a designated portion of the Rule daily, and to write a brief, personal response. I hope that this blog will support our Oblate community in this practice. Please, keep blog entries brief and in a first-person ("I") voice. Refrain from discussing, offering an opinion, or commenting on other entries. Simply consider how a particular section of the Rule is speaking to you in your present circumstances.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraphs 19-20)

The humility of their hearts should be apparent by their bodily movements to all who see them. (From para. 19 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

What do others see when the watch me? Do I rush about self-importantly multitasking, pre-occupied and frustrated? Or do I touch or gaze as if I see reality, and move in the presence of God?

1 comment:

valOctober 24, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Honest self-appraisal of both strengths and weaknesses can keep me rooted in the presence of God if I am conscious and attentive. My strengths can give me the realization that they are God-given gifts and can be lost as soon as I take pride in ownership of them. My weaknesses make me realize that if I stop striking my breast over them in self-consciousness, I can open to as St. Paul reminds me, the power of God shining through them. All of this awareness comes subtly through the mind and heart in meditation. And I am truly grateful for whatever awareness, light through the cracks, comes from the heart of Christ.
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