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.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 4)

The first step of humility is to cherish at all times the sense of awe with which we should turn to God. It should drive forgetfulness away... (From para. 4 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Previously when I've read this passage, I've been drawn to Benedict's words about "the sense of awe... [which] should drive forgetfulness away" -- such an encouraging description, for me, of the practice of setting the mantra free in my heart. But today the word that sings out is cherish -- an experience of intimacy. To me it seems that the first step of humility involves a relationship, an experience of life-giving intimacy.

1 comment:

Wally SaundersSeptember 26, 2017 at 4:45 AM
"The first step of humility is to cherish at all times the sense of awe with which we turn to God."
John Main amplifies that sense of awe today for me by reminding me that my turning to God does not mean turning to something or someone "out there" but to the Someone in here, within me and enveloping me, That is where you invite me to abide, Abba, here, now, in you. As Jesus said so awesomely: "I am the vine, you are the branches . . . ." You tell me that I am a living extension, a living part of you. What awesome intimacy! And you fortify that intimacy by inviting me to accept.the nourishing gift of twice daily meditation.
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