Chapter 41: The times for community meals
The principle is that the superior should manage everything so prudently that the saving work of grace may be accomplished in the community and whatever duties the community undertakes they may be carried out without any excuse for murmuring. (From para. 1 of Ch. 41 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
If I need a principle to lead my daily life by, this instruction from St. Benedict would certainly be a top contender. He guides me in the practice of living in a way that every little thing I do mediates the love of Christ. Meditation helps me to grow in the practice of this simple and unifying vision.
" , , , without any excuse for murmuring." Last evening I helped to clean up the kitchen and dining area after a most enjoyable but also most messy family gathering/potluck. Your gift of this late-life, relatively newly-instituted practice of twice-daily meditation, Abba, seems to allow me to join in this humble service with minimal murmuring. What a light and sweet burden is this yoke you invite me to join you in carrying. So this is what your love is all about!
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