Rejoice!
One day, when the man of God, Benedict, was doing Lectio and pondering how to incorporate his set of values into his manuscript directed to his followers, St. Luke entered his reverie. What an inspiration! Luke and Benedict chatted with each other for a spell. Look Ben, (said Luke) you’ve consulted the writings of the one you call the Master. May I suggest you look at my record of the sayings of THE Master. Check out the 10th chapter of my Gospel. I think you’ll find a very fine touch stone.
Sure enough! Very many of our special Benedictine values are put forth by THE Master Jesus. Look at verses 1-20 as a “for instance”.
+ A SPIRIT of POVERTY: take nothing with you (is how Jesus puts it): no money bags, no suitcase, no canvas bag or pretty tote and no sandals. Or as you say it in your Rule: “No one may presume to give, receive or retain anything as her own, nothing at all, in short not a single item … no one shall presume ownership of anything. “
+ A SENSE of STABILITY: Jesus advises his followers: into whatever house you enter, stay in the same house; don’t be moving from one house to another. Benedict, you describe the first kind of monastics called cenobites. From what you say, I sense this may be your preferred type of members. “those who belong to a particular monastery, where they serve under the rule of a superior.”
+ Further, Benedict, you expect these cenobites to follow Jesus’ way of life, personally and communally, practicing a SPIRIT of SIMPLICITY and ACCEPTANCE of WHATEVER IS AVAILABLE: in your words: eating and drinking whatever is offered to you; whatever is set before you.
You have an obvious understanding of human nature, Benedict. Could we attribute it to your twin sister’s influence? She took her turn as cook for her group of women whom she loved as ardently as you looked after the rough and tough gang of men that lived with you. It’s evident in your words: taking turns serving one another, using an unvoiced system of gestures when anything is required. And (yes, PLEASE God) it will save you a heap of trouble if you designate a weekly reader to proclaim the Holy Word throughout the meal.
In studying your Rule, Benedict, it seems to go without saying that there will likely be no harmony in the group unless each and every member strive to AVOID EVIL and CLING to PEACE. I (that is Luke) remind my readers: Remember what Jesus said (It’s right there in verse 9). “If peace is not present in the house where you find yourself, go out into the streets and shake the dust from your feet and leave that town.” When you feel evil arising in you, get in touch with the cause – shame the devil – leave the occasion of sin.
In this weekend’s second reading, St. Paul reminds us that we bear in us the marks of Jesus in our body. Jesus conquered evil so that we, too, might be part of the new creation. We rejoice with the disciples, reveling as they did in first fervor. We rejoice because our names are written in heaven. Sing with Isaiah in the First Reading: we rely on the gentle care God has for us: we shall be carried in God’s arms, comforted as a mother comforts her child and fondles the child in her lap and delights in nursing the babe. That’s the joy that can erupt in the words of tomorrow’s responsorial psalm: LET ALL THE EARTH CRY OUT TO GOD WITH JOY.
~Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, Prioress
