Prologue to The Rule (paragraphs 1-2)

Listen, child of God, to the guidance of your teacher. Attend to the message you hear and make sure that it pierces to your heart, so that you may accept with willing freedom and fulfil by the way you live the directions that come from your loving Father. (From para. 1 of Prologue to The Rule of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1973.)

At the beginning of this year, I am struck by Benedict's linking of a heart-piercing message with freedom and fullness of spirit. To me, this means that if I accept the grand poverty of the mantra, I will be on the path of transformation, towards true purpose and right relationship.