June 10

Feast of St. Ephrem the Syrian

The Rule of St. Benedict: Chapter 7 pt. 16

In this last reading from Chapter 7, our Father Benedict gives both the twelfth step of humility, which has to do with physical demeanor, and the conclusion to what Sr. Joan calls, "a strangely wonderful and intriguingly distressing treatise on the process of the spiritual life."

Although this passage addresses outward, physical appearance, it also describes an inward state of being.  The inward state is one wherein we live with an acute awareness of the egoic self-interests that lie hidden at the core of our personality.  These are our "sins at every moment," which corrupt even the best of our motives and intentions.  This state of self-awareness is the top rung of the ladder--this ascent by descent--that Benedict describes in chapter 7.  When we reach it, although the false self feels demolished and helpless, we have "presently come to that perfect love of God which casts out fear," our true and eternal home.

The Byzantine "Prayer of St. Ephrem" corresponds beautifully to our Father Benedict's teaching in Chapter 7 of the Rule:

O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking. 

{Making a prostration} 

Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love. 

{Making a third prostration} 

O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren.
For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever.
Amen.

Br. Chad