Chapter 60: The admission of priests into the monastery

An ordained priest who asks to be received into the monastery should not be accepted too quickly. If, however, he shows real perseverance in his request, he must understand that, if accepted, he will be bound to observe the full discipline of the Rule and may expect no relaxations. (From para. 1 of Ch. 60 Of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

My ego wants to set me above and apart; the Spirit wants to set me down to serve.

Chapter 59: Children offered by nobles of by the poor

Everything concerned with this property should be negotiated in such a way that not the slightest hint of personal expectations can be entertained by the child in a way which could lead through deception to ruin. (From para. 2 of Ch. 59 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict, and John Main, both urge me to relate purely and freely to the material world, as I find my true rootedness in God.

Chapter 58: The reception of candidates for the community (paragraphs 4-5)

When the decision is made that novices are to be accepted, then they come before the whole community in the oratory to make solemn promise of stability, fidelity to monastic life and obedience. (From para. 4 of Ch. 58 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict teaches me that the monk is one who seeks God. Through meditation I've come to appreciate what he also teaches in the Rule, that that seeking is not simply solitary but is done in community. The solemn promises Benedict names apply to both my journey inward, and to my journey outward. Somehow, in this knitting together of the inward and the outward, the monastery without walls is formed.

Chapter 58: The reception of candidates for the community (paragraphs 1-3)

The entry of postulants into the monastic life should not be made too easy, but we should follow St John's precept to make trial of the spirits to see if they are from God. (From para. 1 of Ch. 58 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Trials of the spirits, for me, are often only the workings of my own thoughts, obsessions, fears. Within the silence, these mental demons can become the very point the Spirit burns through to bring peace.

Chapter 57: Members of the community with creative gifts

If there are any in the community with creative gifts, they should use them in their workshops with proper humility, provided that they have the permission of the superior. (From para. 1 of Ch. 57 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

My understanding of "creative gifts" is expanding. It includes a growing quality of selfless attention when I practice my own art, or make art with others. This is in stark contrast to the self-centered insecurity that I once knew when making art. Creativity becomes the experience of flowing in something much larger than myself, allowing myself to be guided and surprised, connecting me to all creatures, to all of creation.

Chapter 56: The table for the superior and community guests

The superior's table should always be with the guests and pilgrims. (From Ch. 56 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Who am I? The superior? The guest? The pilgrim? All three? Being embraced by a community helps me to find my identity in Christ.

Chapter 55: Clothing and footwear for the community (paragraphs 3-4)

There is one saying, however, from the Acts of the Apostles which the superior must always bear in mind, namely that proper provision was made according to the needs of each. (From para. 4 of Ch. 55 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Living in a world with so much "stuff", I can easily scatter my energies or overindulge in material things, so that it can be hard to know what I or anyone else really needs. But, over time, the discipline of saying the mantra helps me to discern much about the practicalities of life -- and, to see what someone else might need in the way of a kind word, a loving gesture, a prayer, a presence.