Chapter 36: The care of the sick in the monastery 

The care of those who are sick in the community is an absolute priority, which must rank before every other requirement, so that there may be no doubt that it is Christ who is truly served in them.

(From para. 1 of Ch. 36 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

This morning my mind searches for a larger meaning for the term "sick", to encompass personal weakness of all sorts. I think that one of the fruits of meditation is to learn to lovingly recognize weakness, in myself and in others. Also, I understand that, in the Spirit, weakness can become solid ground for selflessness to take root and grow.

Chapter 35: Weekly servers in the kitchen and at table (paragraphs 3-4)

One hour before the time of a meal those serving in the kitchen and at table should each receive a drink and some bread in addition to their regular portion. This will help them to serve the community at mealtime without stress and without murmuring about their lot.

(From para. 3 of Ch. 35 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

To me it seems like an aspect of unified consciousness: the loving impulse to serve the server.

Chapter 35: Weekly servers in the kitchen and at table (paragraphs 1-2)

Everyone in the community should take turns serving in the kitchen and at table. None should be exonerated from kitchen duty except in the case of sickness or the call of some important business for the monastery, because serving each other in this way has the great merit of fostering charity. (From para. 1 of Ch. 35 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict links service among household members with charity. Often service is taken for granted -- I've felt that way about my own service and am sometimes negligent in honoring others' service. But to link service with charity means that my actions can be loving and therefore invaluable, despite whether or not they get "noticed".

Chapter 34: Fair provision for the needs of all

This principle from Scripture should be established in the monastery, namely that distribution was made to each in accordance with their needs. This, however, should not be taken to mean that favouritism of individuals can be tolerated; far from it. It should simply be a way of showing proper consideration for needs arising from individual weakness. (From Ch. 34 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

This morning, this passage from the Rule reads to me as an enlightenment about what I've "received" in life, including opportunities, and missed opportunities, and the whole chain of events that has brought me to where I am today -- personal weaknesses included. Tempted sometimes by regret or the imaginative distraction of "rearranging" my earlier life, I come fairly quickly to realize that whatever I've received is exactly what I've needed to grow towards life in Christ. Meditation, I think, has reduced the time it takes me to go from self-absorbed melancholy to a vibrant awareness of the mystery of divine energy that beats in my heart.

Chapter 33: Personal possessions in the monastery

Following the practice of the early church described in Acts, everything in the monastery should be held in common and no one should think of claiming personal ownership of anything. (From Ch. 33 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

This is a very difficult sentence, a very difficult teaching, for me to grasp. Coming after chapters about the care of common items, and, in this chapter, mentioning things as dear to me as books and writing materials, I'm at a loss to know how to begin to practice it. Except I know that in meditation I own nothing, and that the meditation isn't even "mine". I'm simply opening myself to the grace of entering into the prayer of Jesus. So, entering into grace may be the way I need to see my life today.

Chapter 32: The tools and property of the monastery

The superior should keep a list with the details of what has been issued to them so that, when one member of the community succeeds another in any responsibility, there may be no doubt about what items have been entrusted to each individual and what they have returned at the end. (From para. 1 of Ch. 32 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict's instructions on how to treat monastery property blend an understanding of the interdependence of community along with good administration. But over all, as he reminds me in Chapter 31, there's a mystical vision: "All the utensils of the monastery and in fact everything that belongs to the monastery should be cared for as though they were the sacred vessels of the altar." It seems to me that it's the mystical vision that should inform all my efforts at sharing with others, and keeping track of things.

Chapter 31: The qualities required by the cellarer (paragraphs 2-3)

There will, of course, be appropriate times for the cellarer to hand out what is needed and for requests for goods or services to be made; these times should be observed by all so that failure to respect them may not cause any disturbance or unhappiness in the house of God. (From para. 3 of Ch. 31 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

There are countless ways, practical and interpersonal, that I can be intentional about creating an atmosphere that is conducive to contemplation.