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The goal of monastic life is not so much self-denial, but rather, seeking a more abundant life. Look here for a book review of Wisdom from the Monastery to discover peace of mind through living an ordered life. | |
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Life in Balance by Bill
We Americans do not take kindly to regulation, whether by government or by other authorities. We value personal liberty, sometimes to the detriment of the common good.
So why does a Rule (Latin: regula), a book of regulations written 1500 years ago remain popular today? If you search for "Rule of Benedict" on Amazon, you will find fifty items for sale, including a variety of English translations (three available on Kindle), commentaries, devotional guides, an MP3 download of monks reading a selection from the rule, and titles such as St. Benedict's Rule for Business Success or Benedict's Dharma: Buddhists Reflect on the Rule of St. Benedict.
The Rule, written by Benedict in 6th-century Italy, is a foundational document of Christian monasticism. Yet its popularity does not stem from its historical significance, but from the guidance it offers today.
Admittedly, it is guidance of an odd sort. Few outside monasteries actually follow these regulations. Someone who always wants a hard and fast rule for every situation will be quite frustrated by Benedict, who repeatedly makes exceptions to his own rules, taking into account the climate, the need for intensive labor at harvest, and the strengths and weaknesses of individuals.
Instead of a prescription for every situation, what readers find in the Rule is guidance for a balanced life. Biblical scholar Ellen Davis says the biblical book of Proverbs offers not definitive, one-size-fits-all rules, but "points of orientation for 'walking with integrity.'" Proverbs offers a way of life that brings us into harmony with other people and with all of God's creation.
So, too, does Benedict. As the ancient slogan puts it, Benedictine life is marked by "ora et labora" - prayer and work, in balance. Like most slogans, this one over-simplifies. John McQuiston captures the truth well in his contemporary paraphrase of Benedict's Rule:
"The day should be divided
so that there is
time for meditation or prayer,
time for meals and relationships,
time for labor,
time for learning,
and time for rest."
McQuiston continues, "Time for labor and time for rest will consume two-thirds of our hours. But eight hours a day remain for study, meals, sharing, and prayer. It is the wise use of these eight hours that is most neglected."
Just as a balanced diet is important, even more important is a balanced life.
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Sources:
- Ellen F. Davis, "Surprised by Wisdom: Preaching Proverbs," Interpretation 63 (July 2009): 264-277.
- John M . McQuiston II, Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living, Morehouse, 1996.
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The Ordered Life
It's amazing that it took God seven days to create order out of chaos and we humans can reverse the process in a few hours. Just think. How consoling it is that day after day the sun rises and sets in perfect order. Yet some of us can really mess up order in our lives by the choices we make day by day.
I remember a retreat at the Houston Cenacle when retreat leader Dr. Eileen Raffaniello Barbella said, "If you want to know what you're addicted to, just look at your calendar." Then she suggested that we fill in our daily calendar in this way: "First write in your prayer times during the day, then meals, rest, recreation, and work. In that order." You could hear a collective gasp throughout the room.
But just how do we order our day? Proverbs 20:24 says that God orders our feet. Do we continue on the ordered path that God sets for us?
Every morning as Bill and I begin our morning prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, Impy, our tabby kitty, enters the oratory. Just about the time we recite "Lord open my lips...," Impy walks up to Bill's bare foot, usually the left knee crossed over the right, and she massages her cheeks with the ball of his foot. Then she leans her ear into Bill's big toe and toggles his toe around in her ear. Then she jumps onto my lap, lies down next to me, and rests her chin on my left thigh. Impy is as regular as the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed all over the world, in perfect order.
I once asked a friend who often visited monasteries in the U.S. and Europe why he did that, what was the attraction? His response was "the ordered life". For those of us who have to go daily to the workplace, for whom monastery stays aren't possible, where do we find order? The Rule of Benedict offers many suggestions. We can read it as if we are all candidates for reception into the monastic community. Benedict writes that having read the rule, "if the candidate can be faithful to it, enter." (RB 58) Benedict also has recommendations about clothing and footwear in the oratory but we won't tell Impy.
by Jan
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Sincerely,
Bill Howden & Jan Davis
Soul Windows Ministries | |
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