Chapter 1: Four approaches to monastic life
Let us leave them to themselves and turn to the strongest kind, the cenobites, so that with the Lord's help we may consider the regulation of their way of life. (From para. 5 of Ch. 1 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
The mystery of the WCCM Oblates, the mystery of our "new form" of community which involves not only a monastery without walls but also, for many of us, physical separation from other Oblates -- where does this mystery get its power? I believe, from the creative silence of meditation, from the power of our mutual fidelity to this discipline and to the Benedictine widsom tradition. The Spirit leads us to "new forms" -- to "regulation", as St. Benedict says. I live into a more and more ordered life through our community, finding order in the mystery, through the gift of the Spirit.
“…let us proceed, with God’s help, to lay down a rule for the strongest kind of monks, the Cenobites.” For the five years that I am visiting a Benedictine Monastery for my silent retreats, I felt that I was being attracted to their way of life …there seems to be a beautiful rhythm in their life with the prayers, the chants, the masses, their work, the way they deal with visitors … The first time I was there I was particularly struck by how the monks and the workers in the monastery can be very gentle people… This is how I found out and got attracted to the Rule. And this time, after two years of “on and off” reflecting and trying to live the Rule, I am in the process of discerning which community to join – that with walls or that without walls. So help me God!
ReplyDelete“All patterns, even the most deep-set, are impermanent. In time meditation transforms every pattern of our conditioning by restoring us to the freedom of our true nature. 'Though your sins be as scarlet they shall become as white as snow'.” (Laurence Freeman, "Christ The Teacher Within".) That narrow path again! You have gifted me, Abba, with this community of monks without walls that supports me. Through it you keep me on the way that heals, one day, one meditation, one simple act of kindness, at a time.
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