Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 5)
One who follows that way finds protection at all times from sin and vice of thought, of tongue, of hand, of foot, of self-will and of disordered sensual desire, so as to lead a life that is completely open before the scrutiny of God and of his angels who watch over us from hour to hour. (From para. 5 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
"Scrutiny" can sound like a term that's harsh and judgmental -- but what could it mean but for God and his angels to watch over me, to know me thoroughly, inside and out, deeper than I know myself, and to know why I'm charged with the wonder of human life?
“Let a man consider that God is always looking at him from heaven . . .”. Scary thought, prompts my ego. Better shape up, guy! Scary thought, unless I stay right-sized, stay your little one, my Father, Abba. Yesterday I got to play with my three-year old grandson here on the beach. The waves were high and currents strong, but he kept trying to fill a hole in the sand with buckets from the churning waters. I watched him carefully and that’s the way I imagine you always watching over me. Keep me a child, your little one, always joyful that you keep your eyes on me, that you love me with all my imperfections.
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