Chapter 4: Guidelines for Christian and monastic good practice (paragraphs 9-13)
You should take delight in listening to sacred reading and in often turning generously to prayer.
(From para. 9 of Ch. 4 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
There's no doubt in my mind that a fruit of meditation is the gradual expansion of spirit into the flow of ever more continuous prayer.
Three words stood out for me in today’s reading of the Rule,“Never lose hope…” (RB4.75) Even though my meditation practice doesn’t seem to go anywhere, “never lose hope”. Even though the distractions are always there, “never lose hope”. Even though I seem to have the same failings, “never lose hope”. Even though I lose sight of the mantra, “never lose hope”. Even though I sometimes drag my feet when it comes to meditation times, “never lose hope”.
ReplyDeleteParaphrasing Chittister , ( Rule of Benedict, p.66) it helps to remember through the dark days when I feel that I have failed myself miserably that the God in Christ Jesus who walks with me on the journey never fails nor loses hope in me.