WCCM Oblate Blog: Reflections from Daily Reading of the Rule of St. Benedict

WCCM Benedictine Oblates are encouraged to read a designated portion of the Rule daily, and to write a brief, personal response. I hope that this blog will support our Oblate community in this practice. Please, keep blog entries brief and in a first-person ("I") voice. Refrain from discussing, offering an opinion, or commenting on other entries. Simply consider how a particular section of the Rule is speaking to you in your present circumstances.

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Chapter 48: Daily manual labor (paragraphs 1-2)

Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore all the community must be occupied at definite times in manual labour and at other times in lectio divina. (From para. 1 of Chap. 48 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Don't waste my time on trivial things. Allow time to be holy, and let in a holy rhythm to my life. Choose where to place my attention. Every moment.

1 comment:

UnknownNovember 26, 2016 at 3:28 AM
How true that idlenes/sloth is the enemy of my soul. When i am idle, negative thoughts, fears, self centeredness and temptations can creep in and lure me to sin against God self and/or others. As the mantra discilines my mind and draws me into the "prayer of Jesus", Benedict's guidance for prayer work and rest disciplines my actions. It draws me into the rhythm of the Spirit filled life. Maranatha...
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