No Easy Entry
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
“Do not grant newcomers to the monastic life an easy entry.” Benedict says if one wants to join the monastery, he doesn’t get his membership card on the first day. Benedict even recommends, in chapter 58, leaving the prospective monk knocking at the door for four or five days. Benedict tells his monks to receive guests like they’re . . .
Kind of a Big Deal
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
This is a high school speech class move to begin saying, “Websters defines ___ as . . .,” but I’ll give it a go here saying, “Merriam-Webster defines humility as ‘the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people.’” Humility isn’t lack of skills or ability or self-confidence; it’s the ability to do what you do and be . . .
The Abbot's Table
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
In less civilized times monasteries were safe places, outposts of learning and faith when much of civilization had decayed. They provided, too, a secure place for travelers to stay. The image we have of monastic life is being separate and isolated, but monasteries were often vibrant places along the road where travelers and visitors from . . .
A Closet Full of Clothes
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
I looked in my closet and I saw a bunch of blue shirts and pants that were browns and grays and thought, “You pretty much put on the same uniform every day.” I try to change and branch out, but I keep coming back to my same standby of blues with browns and grays. Then I thought, “If you’re going to wear a blue shirt most days, you . . .
No Gifts, Please
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
I remember, when I was in grade school, the first day of school after Christmas break. “I got the Six Million Dollar Man doll!,” I said, or I’d have my new Matchbox car in my pocket, ready to show it off. The first thing said to my friends was a report on what I received at the holiday. I’d listen too to the haul my friends took in for . . .
Welcoming the Guest
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
_medium.jpg)
On weekdays, when I’m hanging around the church building, the place usually is quiet. The delivery person might bring a package. Someone could drop something off for a fellowship gathering. Maybe a group meeting in the building gathers, but otherwise the place is still. Every now and then, though, I see someone I don’t recognize coming . . .
We Need Sacred Spaces
Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict
The family room of my teenage years used to be a Buddhist temple. A previous owner of the house was a doctor who immigrated from another country, and I’m guessing small town Missouri offered few opportunities for Buddhist devotion, so one of the rooms was set up as a shrine. I never saw it when it was a temple space, but others mentioned . . .