The Rule of St. Benedict: Chapter 40
"Above all else I urge that there should be no murmuring in the community." These are our Father Benedict's concluding words to this chapter, and they show what is his highest priority regarding the amounts of food and drink consumed by the community. More than anything else, it's important that those who follow the Benedictine way are content with what is provided for them. This principle of contentedness goes well beyond food and drink to the heart of what we are about: the relinquishing of our prejudgments and desires in favor of the Spirit's guidance in our lives. St. Hilda stands before the Presence as a testament to the beauty that comes from a life lived in such a way. May we follow in her footsteps on this day, opening ourselves to hear from and freely follow God's leading, even if our own preferences must be laid aside to do so.
And from here on out, at the meals shared by the Community of St. Mary of the Annunciation, we shall measure our drinks by the hemina!
Okay, so next time I bring the baby along, you'll show me how to measure out her formula according to the hemina, right? :-D
ReplyDeleteI remember first reading about the dangers of "murmuring" in the context of the Rule of Life used by the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity. It's a great way to teach the practice of silence. Do you suppose murmuring stands in contrast to prophetic cries, as opposed to jncluding them?
Well, since babies of our day cannot be persuaded to abstain, I'll show you the proper measure!
ReplyDeleteI do suppose as much about murmuring. Here's my post about it from another place in the Rule: http://stmarycanon.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-23.html