Part Three
God Calls Out: An Introduction to
Benedictine Spirituality
“What is more delightful than this voice of the Holy One
calling to us? See how
God’s love shows us the way of life.
Clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide...
- Rule of St. Benedict
(RB), Prologue 19-21
“Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from
the road that leads to salvation.
It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we
progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts
overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”
- RB
Prol. 48-49
Benedict was a person of deep faith who knew his need for God. The Rule that bears his name also reflects his spiritual
depth and personal maturity. Out of
his experience in guiding monks and writing a Rule for monastic life, Benedict
realized that people need help and guidance along the way in their spiritual
journey.
The example of Benedict’s
life and Rule show us one of the fundamental truths of our faith: we cannot do
it alone; there are no “lone rangers” in the Christian faith.
We need each other; we need community; we need guidance and help to grow
in faith. Benedict’s “little
rule” is designed for those of us who have come to know that we cannot make it
on our own. The whole Rule of
Benedict is a guide for all of us who want to know God on a deeper level.
The principles for the spiritual life that Benedict lays out are as valid
for modern men and women with spouses, children, and busy lives as they were for
his 6th century monks.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you tend to be a
“Lone Ranger” in your faith life? How
so?
- Where do you get support?
Where do you need support?
We Begin by Listening:
Benedict starts with simple advice for anyone who wants to follow God
more closely. Listen!
The first word of the Rule is “listen” and listening is the
foundation of our life with God. Unless
we become still and listen we will never hear what Benedict calls the
“delightful voice of God” calling to us.
Benedict assured us that if we listen and are faithful to God’s way,
our hearts will “overflow with the inexpressible delight of love.”
But listening isn’t easy in our day and age.
We are surrounded by the constant noise of our technological culture, the
noise of the incessant demands of our busy lives as well as the constant noise
inside our hearts when we try to become still and listen to God.
But the necessity of listening and the difficulty of doing so are not
unique to our age.
Listening is not something we will learn once and for all. Listening is a life long process, not an achievement.
Throughout our spiritual journey we will continue to learn to listen and
respond to the invitation of God’s love in our life.
Questions for reflection:
- How do you listen to
God’s voice in your life? What
makes it difficult to listen? Are
there any practical steps you can take to lessen your distractions?
- As you listen to God’s
voice today, to what is God calling you? You
may want to answer this by entering into a dialogue with God: tell God you are
listening and then see what you hear. Try
to be both attentive and patient as you listen to God’s voice, it may come at
times and in ways you don’t expect.
Are We Ready to Respond?
The Prologue to the Rule expresses the depth and strength of God’s
continuing invitation to us. Benedict
calls us to listen and respond to God’s voice in our lives. For Benedict the spiritual journey is not a passive
process. As disciples we must make
a continual re-commitment to follow God. Benedict
observes: “The labor of obedience will bring you back to God from whom you had
drifted through the sloth of disobedience.” (Prol. 2)
This disobedience does not mean we are fundamentally terrible people.
Given our human nature it is easy for even the most devout and sincere of
us to “drift” sometimes. We
want to love and serve God but often we find it hard to maintain a high level of
fervor and commitment in our relationship to God.
Realizing this Benedict becomes a cheerleader for tired disciples.
He tries to bring us back to that initial sense of excitement we had in
first following God. “Let us get up then, at long last, for the scriptures rouse
us...” (Prol. 8) Benedict
paints a picture of God calling out
like Wisdom in the marketplace: “Is there anyone here who yearns for life and
desires to see good days?” (Prol. 14, 15)
Benedict exhorts us to respond to this delightful voice of the Holy One
and “set out on this way with the Gospel for our guide...” (Prol. 19-20)
Questions for Reflection:
- Benedict recognizes that
it is easy for us to “drift” in our relationship with God. Have you ever had times when you have “drifted” and not
been as close to God? What caused
that drifting? Are there ways to
keep it from happening or to return more quickly to closeness with God?
- For Benedict it is
crucial that the disciple have help in the spiritual journey, a Rule, a
community, etc. What helps do you
have in your spiritual life? Do you
need more help than you are receiving? How
might you get extra help or call more regularly on the help you already have?
Setting Out On the Journey:
For Benedict the proper response to God’s invitation is practical and
concrete. We demonstrate our faith
by how we live our lives. “God
waits for us daily to translate into action, as we should, these holy
teachings.” (Prol. 35) Good
intentions are fine but they are not enough.
Our actions, attitudes and behavior all reflect the depth of our
relationship with God. But to move
beyond good intentions to action we need help.
“What is not possible to us by nature
let us ask the Holy One to supply by the help of grace.” (Prol. 41)
But some of us have trouble even asking God for help in translating our
good intentions into the actions of faith.
Benedict seems to realize our dilemma.
He says that he intends to establish “a school of the Lord’s
service.” We all need the help
and guidance of a school, worthy teachers and a holy curriculum to come to know
the deep holiness to which God calls us. Benedict
also recognizes our reluctance and fear of undergoing any sort of discipline,
even when it will satisfy the longing of our hearts.
He exhorts his listeners: “Do not be immediately daunted by fear and
run away from the road that leads to salvation.
It is bound to be narrow at the outset.
But as we progress on this way of life and faith, we shall run on the
path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible
delight of love.” (Prol. 49)
Then Benedict goes on to lay out the requirement for this “school of
the Lord’s service.” In 72
short chapters he provides a guidebook for a whole way of life centered on God
and prayer within the context of a community of faith.
While a few of his provisions are clearly relevant for the 6th century
but not our own, most of the Rule is clearly a guide for people in any state of
life who want to deepen their commitment to Christ.
Benedict’s Rule is a font of profound and practical advice for all
Christians in any century and any situation.
As we proceed through the Rule and this retreat we will explore the
principles of the spiritual journey that will provide us guidance throughout our
lives. Benedict will teach us the
importance of a life grounded in prayer. We
will come to see our need to be shaped, challenged and nurtured by a community
of faith. The Rule will challenge
us to transform the egocentrism that can enslave us into a life centered on
Christ. The practical provisions of
the Rule will encourage us to live with balance and moderation.
Like Benedict, in this retreat “we hope to set down nothing harsh,
nothing burdensome” but simply provide a way for all of us to listen and
respond to the delightful voice of our God.
Blessings on your journey throughout this retreat.
Questions for Reflection:
- Benedict is always very
practical. Based on your responses
to the questions in Part Two you may want to begin to write your own “rule,”
practices and guidelines for your own spiritual life. Try being concrete but also realistic in what you can
accomplish; after all Benedict was also very realistic about the limitations of
human nature! Just as Benedict was
with his disciples, be patient and encouraging with yourself.
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Benedictine
Sisters, Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, Idaho
