Chapter 2 pt. 5
The Rule of Benedict January 13
In order for the Prior to effectively "vary with circumstances" the means of spiritual formation, there needs to be a clear vision of that into which we are being formed. Benedict lays out in the Prologue his vision of spiritual formation as a process by which one is made fit to dwell with God where God is at home. In our context, formation takes place within the order through our process of discerning our callings and serving in our roles. The Prior must keep in mind that the support each member needs as she lives into her calling and role will be unique.
When I reread my post this morning, I realized that it sounds as though I am stating that spiritual formation within our order happens ONLY through our process of discernment of calling and serving in our roles. I'd like to revise the sentence to state, "In our context, one way formation takes place within our order . . ." Other ways formation takes place in our order are by means of praying the Office, personal devotional practices such as contemplative prayer/meditation and Lectio Divina, corporate prayer, Eucharist, hospitality, and many other ways we are only beginning to see manifest in our midst.
ReplyDeleteMy original post reflected the perspective I have had up to this point regarding the application of Benedict's instruction that the superior "vary with circumstances" the means of spiritual formation.
Something that I find very challenging is the idea that "there needs to be a clear vision of that into which we are being formed." It is not my role, obviously, to discern that for our order, but rather to follow my path within it under the guidance of the prior and all our members. Yet, I find I have absolutely NO clarity about what I am being called to or how I am to be formed. I have only the vaguest ideas and some sloppy spiritual practices that I am only now starting to discipline into something more regular. And I find myself questioning how attainable clarity is at all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. I'd like to offer that it's important not to conflate the notion of calling with the notion of formation. As Christians, we are being formed into the likeness of Christ, who is fully at home where God dwells. This is my take on the grand vision set forth by Benedict in the Prologue to his Rule, and I believe that it is the same for us all. What I refer to as "calling" is the particular manifestation(s) of this likeness of Christ in each of our lives. Our callings flow out of and participate in our formation.
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