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.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Chapter 1: Four approaches to monastic life

For a rule of life [Sarabaites] have only the satisfaction of their own desires. Any precept they think up for themselves and then decide to adopt they do not hesitate to call holy. Anything they dislike they consider inadmissable. (From para. 3 of Ch. 1 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

This represents a kind of inner disorganization to me -- my attention easily being led astray, my energy wasted on a constant reference to my conflicting opinions. With the practice of meditation I'm guided into a kind, loving and other-centered approach to life. Even when my practice falters, I know for sure what my practice is, and I am guided towards stability.

1 comment:

Wally SaundersMay 8, 2019 at 5:27 AM
Benedict’s distinguishing real from fake monks here reminds me of Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner’s startling prediction: “The Christians of the future will be mystics or they will not be Christians at all.” Meditation and the mantra facilitate that profound healing encounter with you, Abba, who are infinite Power, infinite Truth and infinite Love.
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