Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 8)
The second step of humility is not to love having our own way nor to delight in our own desires. (From para. 8 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
Delight in my own desires, as wonderful as it sounds, is but an aspect of my heart closed in on itself. When life breaks open a heart, as it does, it breaks it open to love the whole world.
In reflecting on this chapter and Benedict’s words,”that we love not our own will” and Chittister’s comment that ‘the will of God remains…after we try without stint and pray without ceasing to change it" the words of a song just popped into my head. They are lines from a Kenny Roger's song called "The Gambler”. "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run." The knowing what to do or not, when to walk and run from following my will comes from the relationship that I have with Christ. By truly and deeply listening I am informed when to remain steadfast and when to let go. In the acceptance of the will of God,through Christ, "lies the fullness of life for me, however obscure” (Chittister, The Rule of Benedict, p.84)
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