Tag: Rule
St. Benedict for Beginners – The Sixth Step to Humility
‘The sixth step of humility is that a monk should be satisfied with whatever is of lowest value or quality.’ Are we really supposed to surround ourselves with everything of poor quality and low value? Not really. St Benedict is not recommending that we intentionally surround ourselves with everything that is tacky, cheap and nasty… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – The Fifth Step to Humility
The fifth step of humility is that a man should in humble confession reveal to his Abbot all the evil thoughts that come into his mind, and any wrongful actions that he had done in secret.’ Nothing helps us make a quantum leap forward in the quest for humility than a good and complete confession…. Read More ›
The Dignity of Yard Work
Idleness is the soul’s enemy, so therefore at determined times the brothers (and sisters) out to be occupied with manual labor, and again at determined hours in Lectio Divina. (Rule of St. Benedict: 48:1) For the past couple of days, I’ve developed a pretty strong attachment to my leaf blower, a precious gift I received… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – The Fourth Step to Humility
‘The fourth step of humility is that, when in the very act of obeying one meets with trials and even abuse… a man should neither grow faint nor run away.’ Benedict’s rule is manly. He is training soldiers for Christ and he doesn’t tolerate deserters. Humility is the heart of being Christ-like and we need… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – The Third Step to Humility
‘The third step of humility is that for the love of God a man should be obedient to his superior in all things.’ Obedience? What a sign of scandal in an individualistic age! The whole self revolts against the idea of obedience. Or if we even entertain the idea of obedience we think we should… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – The Second Step to Humility
‘The second step of humility is that a man should not love his own will nor take pleasure in carrying out his own desires.’ St Benedict cuts right to the heart of the matter in his instruction on the development of humility. Are you able, right from the moment of waking to begin serving others?… Read More ›
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 – ‘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 ›