Prologue, part 1
Listen, O my son, to the precepts of the master, and incline the ear of your heart: willingly receive and faithfully fulfil the admonition of your loving father; that you may return by the labor of obedience to him from whom you had departed through the sloth of disobedience.
Comment
In these first words of the Rule, Benedict communicates both a direct and personal relationship, and a sense of eager urgency. The Rule is addressed personally to each person who reads or hears it.
The first word is "Listen," and the Latin obsculta which is translated "Listen" is related to the word "obedience." There is a very important connection between true listening and deep obedience; both suggest a turning in order to receive more fully that which is being given.
Turning is really what the whole Rule is about. It presumes the first turning, or conversion, of baptism; and it is then deeply interested in the second and lifelong turning, of daily conversion to Christ. The question always in Benedict’s mind is the question of Christian maturity: "How can we live out our commitment to the Lord in daily life?" He is certain that God calls us each day to respond more fully.
- adapted from Norvene Vest, Preferring Christ
Reflection
Vest writes: I often struggle with the "sloth of disobedience, if by that is meant forgetfullness, forgetfullness that I live even in this minute in the sight of God, forgetfullness that I am, even in this conflict or joy or creative moment, empowered by the Spirit of God, forgetfulness that I am, even and perhaps especially in my weakness and limitation, loved profoundly by my Christ. And I do know that I desire life and to dwell with the Lord, but I could use a school for the Lord’s service, an environment that would help me live more fully in the heart of God.
Response
Life, itself, is the school, the environment in which we seek to live fully in the heart of God. Some days it is a struggle to see God in the creatures we encounter and the events we experience. The challenge for me is to see God in all things.
Thanks, Fr. Charles, for the opportunity to ever learn more about the Benedictine tradition in a non-traditional way!. That very effort is making it possible for us to listen more acutely. Even I, stubbornly, and probably foolishly, agnostic, hear some things very clearly. I just can't always identify the source of what I hear. We must listen (obey) something, it seems, to be fully human, even if it's only our human nature. But to listen (obey) we must also listen (hear), and that is where many of us fail. We don't hear each other, we don't hear our colleagues, we don't hear our students, we don't hear our friends. We don't even seem to have times to listen to ourselves. And that is, I am afraid, a choice we make. We can choose to listen, to "stop and smell the roses". The passage you posted for Jan. 19 reminds us that the choice is perhaps more of a duty. And it makes clear again the distinction between intellectual assent to a way of life and its literal "incorporation" into the "heart." The Rule, even if read outside the context of its specific Christian language, is a document both of wisdom and practicality.
pax
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read, reflect, and see the comments by others on the Benedictine Rule. I find this much more palatable, for want of another word, than reading it on my own or some of the other forums presented. And, one of the more worthwhile E-mail messages I have received.
"How can we live out our commitment to Christ in everyday life?" I am thankful to be working at St. Gregory's and have the opportunity to see this commitment at work daily by the monks and others who work here. Even though at this point, I don't feel I have a close or knowledgeable relationship with Christ, I feel I am progressing a little at a time toward being willing to "Listen".
Giving up the control I think I have, and being willing to listen is a daily struggle. I know in my heart it is totally up to me, but have never been able to let whatever that "hold" in my heart is to let it happen. But, being here and experiencing what the Benedictine way can do in people's life makes it ever more closer. So, I do thank God every day for allowing me the opportunity to work here. I try to listen and appreciate what He offers. And, I think most importantly, I try to make it possible for those I work with, both students and employees, to find the time to enjoy the success they achieve, to feel good about themselves and the place they work, and provide opportunities to be all that they want to be.
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