Chapter 4 pt. 4
The Rule of Benedict September 21
Today's list of tools mostly pertains to interpersonal matters within the community, and it's clear that Benedict does not expect such matters to be a cake walk. It requires constant vigilance--employing these tools "unceasingly day and night"--to keep the inner states of hate, jealousy, contention, and haughtiness at bay and to cultivate those of respect for seniors, love for juniors, prayer for enemies, and peace with adversaries.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September 20
Chapter 4 pt. 3
The Rule of Benedict September 20
Benedict does not shy away from the topic of sin, nor does he hold it up as an eternal fact of life. Sins must be acknowledged, confessed, and amended in order for the community to be in union with each other and in order for our souls to find their true home in/with God.
Religious orders have historically practiced formal confession to a spiritual elder. I wonder what such a practice might look like for us, and if it might serve well the highest ends of our life together.
The Rule of Benedict September 20
Benedict does not shy away from the topic of sin, nor does he hold it up as an eternal fact of life. Sins must be acknowledged, confessed, and amended in order for the community to be in union with each other and in order for our souls to find their true home in/with God.
Religious orders have historically practiced formal confession to a spiritual elder. I wonder what such a practice might look like for us, and if it might serve well the highest ends of our life together.
Monday, September 19, 2011
September 19
Chapter 4 pt. 2
The Rule of Benedict September 19
From January:
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.
The Rule of Benedict September 19
From January:
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.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
September 18
Chapter 4 pt. 1
The Rule of Benedict September 18
Numbers 10-13 provide a fascinating commentary on number 9. Our culture generally conceives of the golden rule with regard to simple pleasure or pain: "I don't want to feel pain, so I won't cause it in others," but Benedict prescribes a treatment of the self that is difficult and unpleasant in the service of transformation. So perhaps I should ask myself the question, "which me does not want to be treated in such a such a way," when considering my actions towards others. Do I want to be transformed, or do I want simply to feel pleasure and not pain? How does this effect my practice of the golden rule?
The Rule of Benedict September 18
Numbers 10-13 provide a fascinating commentary on number 9. Our culture generally conceives of the golden rule with regard to simple pleasure or pain: "I don't want to feel pain, so I won't cause it in others," but Benedict prescribes a treatment of the self that is difficult and unpleasant in the service of transformation. So perhaps I should ask myself the question, "which me does not want to be treated in such a such a way," when considering my actions towards others. Do I want to be transformed, or do I want simply to feel pleasure and not pain? How does this effect my practice of the golden rule?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
September 17
Chapter 3 pt. 2
The Rule of Benedict September 17
from January:
Part of what it means for us to bear the title "Benedictine" is for us to accept the Rule of Benedict as a rule, or a standard, by which to measure our lives. This does not imply that we subject ourselves to a simple, one-to-one application of the Rule, but rather that we each submit ourselves to the authority of the Rule instead of to our self-will in matters pertaining to our spiritual formation.
The Rule of Benedict September 17
from January:
Part of what it means for us to bear the title "Benedictine" is for us to accept the Rule of Benedict as a rule, or a standard, by which to measure our lives. This does not imply that we subject ourselves to a simple, one-to-one application of the Rule, but rather that we each submit ourselves to the authority of the Rule instead of to our self-will in matters pertaining to our spiritual formation.
Friday, September 16, 2011
September 16
Chapter 3 pt. 1
The Rule of Benedict September 16
I am reminded by this passage of our discussion last night. A healthy community is in need of participation from the range of voices present at the table. Let us continue, for our part, to endeavor to add our voice with "all deference required by humility" and not "presume stubbornly to defend [our] opinions . . ."
The Rule of Benedict September 16
I am reminded by this passage of our discussion last night. A healthy community is in need of participation from the range of voices present at the table. Let us continue, for our part, to endeavor to add our voice with "all deference required by humility" and not "presume stubbornly to defend [our] opinions . . ."
Thursday, September 15, 2011
September 15
Chapter 2 pt. 7
The Rule of Benedict September 15
Informed by Ruth's wonderful comment from yesterday (I encourage you to read it, if you haven't already), I notice the classical/medieval conception of the virtue of prudence at play here in Chapter 2. By exercising prudence in the role of Superior, with all its many responsibilities, not only does the Superior shape the souls entrusted to her care, but her own soul is itself formed. This is a hopeful end to a potentially daunting chapter.
The Rule of Benedict September 15
Informed by Ruth's wonderful comment from yesterday (I encourage you to read it, if you haven't already), I notice the classical/medieval conception of the virtue of prudence at play here in Chapter 2. By exercising prudence in the role of Superior, with all its many responsibilities, not only does the Superior shape the souls entrusted to her care, but her own soul is itself formed. This is a hopeful end to a potentially daunting chapter.
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