Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 5)
One who follows that way finds protection at all times from sin and vice of thought, of tongue, of hand, of foot, of self-will and of disordered sensual desire, so as to lead a life that is completely open before the scrutiny of God and of his angels who watch over us from hour to hour. (From para. 5 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
Benedict links forgetfulness of the presence of God (from the previous reading) with disorder. Forgetfulness is a human frailty that can close me in on on my habits of mind and behavior and lead me to disorder, to an "unconscious" life. The mantra leads me towards remembering who I am in God.
How counterintuitive, Abba, to think of you watching for me at every moment with the merciful eyes of the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son. By default I can still tend to view myself with the accusing and shaming eyes of “the Accuser”, in other words, Satan’s eyes. Perfect my love, Father, and let our Love cast out every trace of fear.
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