Chapter 40: The proper amount of drink to be provided
It may be that local circumstances may make it impossible to provide the amount of wine we have suggested above so that there may be much less available or even none at all. Those who live in such a locality should praise God and avoid any murmuring. Above all else I urge that there should be no murmuring in the community. (From para. 3 of Ch. 40 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
Simple: Replace habits of overconsumption and complaining with praise of God. Not easy: But the work of the mantra teaches me that I have a choice about where I place my attention.
"They forgot the things he had done, the marvelous deeds he had shown them.....He split the rocks in the desert, He gave them plentiful drink as from the deep."(Ps. 78:39) Because I do not have what I think I need as exemplified by the wine, must I murmur and complain as did our forefathers of the Old Testament in the desert? Because I meditate, and have a mantra does not exempt me from these very temptations to complain. Faith and trust are the lessons I need to learn every day as I sit in meditation and as I repeat the mantra. Gratefulness for the very things I have been given opens my mouth to praise. The very prayer of meditation brings me to the depths of my being. Here is the desert without the wine. Help me to walk through it O Lord, with you.
ReplyDelete“Virtue stands in the middle.” Moderation/balance is the name of the game of life, whether I am eating or riding a bicycle. Not easy for me to learn balance in this, our over-consuming society. But what joy, Abba, when you and I can do so.
ReplyDeleteFood is essential but a little wine? Well that is another story. Could be considered by some to be essential-necessary for a little relaxation, socialization, mood-enhancing. Is it essential to me? How do I view a "little" wine? Problem is I cannot just stop at a "little" because once the mood captures me, the desire for socialization becomes looked upon as 'necessary' to an introvert like me and the rationalizations continue as another glass is poured. Is not the way I have chosen to follow the Lord, the way of moderation , and discipline and even more the way of fasting as in keeping a constant Lent according to Benedict. More importantly, for me the act of contemplation, meditation is not and cannot be reserved for just those morning and evening times. Love cannot be contained but has to spill over into my day and imbue and permeate everything I do, think and say. So what about that wine? Does it end with that one glass and can I discontinue there and detach myself from desire for another? Just another mine field on the way, not to be skirted but met head on knowing that the more I "empty my glass" , the more Christ can fill it with Himself.
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