From The Desk of Deacon Judy
Benedict of Nursia, Abbot of Monte Cassino, c. 540 (July 11)
Isn’t it amazing how the life and practice of one man in the sixth century can influence our lives so profoundly today?
Most of us recognize Benedict from his Benedictine Rule of Life. Actually at the time it was called the “Rule of the Master” and required for the monks a strict discipline of four hours in liturgical prayer, five hours in spiritual reading, six hours of work, one hour for eating, and eight hours of sleep.
Benedict was so fed up with the barbarian, unstable, immoral world of Rome that he retreated to a hillside cave for monastic seclusion. Little by little a community formed and established a rhythm of life: prayer, study, work, and rest.
Benedictine monasteries thrived during the Middle Ages throughout Europe and Britain. Canterbury Cathedral began as a Benedictine Monastery. Today, the monastery is adjacent to the cathedral.
A few years ago on pilgrimage to Western England, we stayed at Buckfast Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery, where we prayed the hours with the monks there.
In the Prologue of Benedict’s Rule, he encourages us to listen with the ears of the heart: “Let us listen well to what the Lord says.” From this deep connection with the divine and through the daily practice of prayer, study, work, and rest, our lives begin to transform so we can live into the rule noted in Chapter Four: “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.”
The Daughters of the King follow a Rule of Life:
“Members of The Order of the Daughters of the King® undertake a Rule of Life, incorporating the Rule of Prayer and the Rule of Service. By reaffirmation of the promises made at Baptism and Confirmation, a Daughter pledges herself to a life-long program of Prayer, Service, and Evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish.” (DOK Handbook)
What about each of us? What is our intentional rhythm of life?
The Morning Resolve in our Forward Day by Day offers some guidance:
“In particular, I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating, and sleep, which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.”
For me a strict Benedictine Rule doesn’t resonate, but what works for me is to have an intentional rhythm of life to include prayer, study, service, and a healthy lifestyle. The good news about the Benedictine Way of Living is that every day is a new day; that we always begin again. (Always We Begin Again, John McQuiston II)
Let us pray the prayer of Benedict of Nursia:
Almighty and everlasting God, your precepts are the wisdom of a loving Father: Give us grace, following the teaching and example of your servant Benedict, to walk with loving and willing hearts in the school of the Lord’s service; let your ears be open to our prayers, and prosper with your blessing the work of our hands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Pentecost Blessings,
Judy Q+
