January 19

Chapter 4 pt. 2

The Rule of Benedict January 19

In this portion of chapter 4, Benedict casts a vision of a monastic heart bereft of violence, defensiveness, and self-importance.  This is no easy vision to live up to.  It requires courage to lay down my defenses, give up "being right", and entrust my worth to God.  It requires generosity of spirit and vulnerability.  It might even require our death, like it did of our Lord and many of his disciples, including one whose memory our nation celebrates this week.