Prologue to the Rule (paragraph 5)
And so to prepare ourselves for the journey before us let us renew our faith and set ourselves high standards by which to lead our lives. The gospel should be our guide in following the way of Christ to prepare ourselves for his presence in the kingdom to which he has called us. (From para. 5 of Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
For me, the high standards are being kind and unafraid, in imitation of -- in the presence of -- Jesus. I believe this creates the kingdom of God on earth.
I realize that I renew my faith every time I return to the recitation of the mantra
ReplyDelete“Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
ReplyDeletebut to Your name give the glory” (Ps. 113[115:1]:9). Yes, all the good works of my hands were nothing but grace. Yet how easy it is to be dissuaded by the applause of men. Thus, let this part of the Rule be my constant companion as I toil in the Lord’s vineyard here on earth.
It struck me how often St. Benedict uses direct quotations from scripture in the rule. But, Joan Chittister reminds me that “ . . .as important as the scriptural quotations themselves is the very message of their presence: the life laid out in this rule is a life based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not the prescriptions of a private guru. It is an immersion in the Gospel life so intense that we never forget for a moment what we are really about.” (“Daily reading from the Rule of Benedict”, Jan 3, 2014). Abba, Spirit of Love, may I never forget what I am really about, not for a single moment of this day.
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