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, February 25, 2020

Chapter 20: The ideal of true reverence in prayer

When we come, then, with our requests in prayer before the Lord, who is God of all creation, is it not all the more important that we should approach him in a spirit of real humility and a devotion that is open to him alone and free from distracting thoughts? (From Ch. 20 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

I resonate with Benedict's prescription for true reverence in prayer, as a description of meditation. A spirit of real humility -- poverty of spirit. A devotion that is open to him alone -- realizing the presence of the indwelling God. Free from distracting thoughts -- the practice of the mantra.

1 comment:

Wally SaundersFebruary 26, 2020 at 4:46 AM
“Each meditation is a new beginning, a fresh setting-out on the pilgrimage beyond self, beyond limitation into the wonder of God.“ (John Main, “The Heart of Creation”). How much I need this reminder that each day is a “Brand new day, everything is fine”, as the hymn goes. Let’s you and I, Abba, enjoy this fresh gift and adventure together.
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