The Rule of St. Benedict January 10
"The purpose of Benedictine spirituality is to gather equally committed adults for a journey through earthen darkness to the dazzling light that already flames in each of us, but in a hidden place left to each of us to find."
This sentence from Sr. Joan's commentary on today's reading in Chapter 2 shapes my approach to leadership in our community. As the religious superior, the prior, as we call the role, I am responsible before God to accompany each member on the journey to his hidden flame and, once found, to help protect and fan the flame.
At the same time, our Father Benedict knows well that there is only so much that anyone can do to assist another on the inner journey. No one is relieved of the responsibility to do her own work, to face her own "earthen darkness" in her search for the "dazzling light." But, as Benedictines, we are never expected to face such things alone.
Br. Chad 2013
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