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.)

Serving the server -- this is like being the first to be obedient to each other. The motive is paying attention to the needs of others, practicing kindness, and integrating everyone into the community in harmony.

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 too often 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.)

Meditation is not even "my own" but entry into the prayer of Christ, and in this way I am graced to receive what I need arising from my individual weakness.

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.)

I can feel at a loss to know how to practice such non-possession in my life, especially because I know that my most clung-to possession is my self-centeredness. And yet, I also know that in meditation I own nothing; that 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.)

I often make to-do lists, but the way I use them is a can be rather inconclusive. In this chapter, however, St Benedict suggests to me that even keeping a list can have a purpose beyond the self, for the good of others, and even as part of the mystical vision of everything belonging in the Body of Christ.

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 that I can be attentive to creating an atmosphere that fosters kindness and well-being, and thus be conducive to contemplation.

Chapter 31: The qualities required by the cellarer (paragraph 1)

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. (From para. 1 of Ch. 31 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict is telling me that even mundane things can be sacred vessels -- that everything mediates the love of God, and that this is reality.