Prologue to the Rule (paragraph 7)
We must, therefore, prepare our hearts and bodies to serve him under the guidance of holy obedience. (From para. 7 of Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
For me, this passage is not about rules and restrictions. It's about a relationship with God which leads me (eventually) to self-control and to continuous prayer.
“Therefore we must prepare our hearts and our bodies to do battle under the holy obedience of His commands . . . “. I like Leonard Doyle’s translation of Benedict here, with its reference to preparing for battle. A martial arts or endurance sport workout is, to me, a most meaningful image of my experience of the twice-daily work (the workout) of meditation. The Buddhist monks of Shaolin and elsewhere daily practice martial arts to prepare their bodies for meditation. Likewise, I confront my slothful ego through regular, age-appropriate, physical exercise such as yoga, walking, jogging, swimming, biking. These physical workouts are “simple acts of kindness” to my body that support my fidelity to the daily battle with my ego that meditation represents.
ReplyDelete“Therefore we must prepare our hearts and our bodies to do battle under the holy obedience of His commands; and let us ask God that He be pleased to give us the help of His grace.” This calls for the submission of one’s will to the holy will of God. This to me would mean a purification of my ego … from its negative to a positive state. I know this is difficult so only Your Grace, Oh God, will see me through…
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