Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraphs 6-7)
And so, if the eyes of the Lord are watching the good and the wicked, and if at all times the Lord looks down from heaven on the sons and daughters of men to see if any show understanding in seeking God, and if the angels assigned to care for us report our deeds to the Lord day and night, we must be on our guard every hour or else, as the psalmist says, the time may come when God will observe us falling into evil and so made worthless. (From para. 7 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
As I sit this morning, with these word from Benedict, my mood shifts, from a defensive one, in which my own will is looking to assert itself, to the realization of a loving mutual gaze. God watches me, "the angels assigned to my care report on me", and I'm being taught how to seek God, so that my heart, my actions, may not be fragmented into blind self-satisfaction, but may be made whole.
As I sit this morning, with these word from Benedict, my mood shifts, from a defensive one, in which my own will is looking to assert itself, to the realization of a loving mutual gaze. God watches me, "the angels assigned to my care report on me", and I'm being taught how to seek God, so that my heart, my actions, may not be fragmented into blind self-satisfaction, but may be made whole.
“ . . . the Spirit . . . is a power of irresistible joy and peace. Its power is released if only we allow ourselves to be who we really are, to believe what we really believe and to say what we really mean.” (John Main, “Monastery Without Walls” Kindle loc 2911). I am struck again, Abba, by the simplicity of your call to me to that “irresistible joy and peace” through today’s daily humble “yes” to Reality, to opening up and letting you love me as I am. In the “now”, today, isn’t that what “Thy will be done” means?
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