There has been some discussion among the Oblates as to what is our calling when is comes to RB 48, On the Daily Manual Labor. It has been suggested by several that this should translate into volunteer service to the Monastery, doing some of the physical labor that is needed to be done. This might be well for those who can provide such service and the Abbot is aware of our willingness to help the Monastery in any way he might direct. But for many this is not possible either because of distance, age or, more importantly, vocation in life.
It is also important to remember we are not monastics living in a monastery. We are simply Christians trying to live by the Rule as best we can, living the vocation we have been called to by God. So, how should we understand our obligation concerning manual labor? First, we should take seriously St. Benedict’s warning that idleness is the enemy of the soul and we should discipline ourselves to be occupied with manual labor during specific times (RB 48:1). There is no underestimating the value of physical labor, but for Oblates might the emphasis be better placed where Smaragdus of Saint-Mihiel thought: So then, we exhort you, brothers, not to love idleness, but by sincere and unanimous agreement let each toil as he is able; but let a person who has been [idle] up to now cast off this vice and come ready for every work…
Each of us are asked to give our talents first to our family and to our profession. We are then called to help in the community, first in our parishes, and then in the multitude of various service organizations that serve the needs of the community. Labor is a self-offering, a spiritual act as well as a physical act, “an opportunity for each person to offer his or her life to God and neighbor.”
So, as we enter the time of Advent, let us re-assess the time we spend and determine if “idleness” has not entered into our lives. Are we honoring the intent of St. Benedict and staying busy as he instructed or has the world’s values influenced our thinking. Second, we can re-assess our prayer life. Are we being faithful to our prayer life as well as Lectio or have we allowed over-valuing leisure and the festivities of the season to interfere with the Work of God. Finally, during this time of the year every charitable organization is strained to meet the material needs of so many people. Perhaps we can find a few hours to aid the parishes and other organizations working to meet the charitable needs of the poorest among us. And poverty does not just mean economic. There are those alone, those who are sick, and those in prison.
This is the work we are called to do. To live in the world and seek those in need, both spiritually and physically. Seek them first in your own family, then your parish and then the community at large. If we do our daily duty as our vocation in life calls, if we pray regularly, and if we see Christ in all we meet and seek to help those in need, we shall have no worry about avoiding idleness as St. Benedict instructs, and we shall have no concerns when we meet Christ face to face.
