Tag: Longenecker
St. Benedict for Beginners – The First Step to Humility
‘The first step of humility is for a man to set the fear of God always before his eyes.’ We live today with a Jesus who is our friend and a God who is more of a congenial uncle than a true Father. It is not a bad thing to balance these sentimental images of… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘…what will profit us forever’
‘We must do now what will profit us forever.’ The past is a memory and the future is a fear. The only reality is this present moment. Therefore it is in only in this moment that we can enjoy reality. But if the past is a memory and the future is a fear, it is… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘In a Flood of Words…’
‘In a flood of words you will not avoid sin.’ The Trappists are the Benedictine monks who are most famous for their silence. The stricter orders still have an elaborate system of hand signs for communication. Saint Benedict recommends silence not because conversation is sinful in itself, but because it is often superficial. Notice that… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘The Way of Obedience’
‘It is by the way of obedience that we go to God.’ Benedictine monks and nuns take three vows. They promise to pursue obedience, stability, and conversion of life. Obedience is a hard word in a society that values personal freedom above anything else. But Benedict realizes that unless we submit to something greater than… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘Welcomed as Christ…’
‘All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.’ Monks and nuns might stay in their monasteries, but they are not cut off from the world. Instead of going about in the world, they invite the world to them. The doorkeeper is an important person in Benedict’s community, and hospitality is still one… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘Follow this little rule…’
Whoever you are then, follow this little rule written for beginners.’ Saint Benedict’s monastic rule is sometimes thought of as an esoteric text to take the spiritually elite to the heights of mystic attainment. Nothing could be further from the truth. Benedict’s rule is a practical, down to earth guide to community living and spiritual… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – Listen my son…
‘Listen my son, to the master’s instructions and attend to them with the ear of your heart.’ Saint Benedict established his simple Christian communities in the sixth century. In the chaos of the crumbling Roman Empire, Benedict’s monasteries were havens of peace, prayer and stability. To help his brothers follow the path of God’s wisdom,… Read More ›
Suggested Reading for Lent
“On the days of Lent, from morning until the end of the third hour let them apply themselves to their reading, and from then until the end of the tenth hour let them do the work assigned them. And in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they… Read More ›
Witness to the Word: A Reflection on the Incarnation with Father Dwight Longenecker
Come “prepare the way of the Lord” in your mind and heart with our very special Advent Morning of Reflection, beginning at 9 a.m. on December 3rd in the Haid Theatre at Belmont Abbey College. Join Father Dwight Longenecker for two inspiring talks exploring four powerful witnesses to the Incarnation of the Word among us:… Read More ›