Benedict (480-547 AD) lived in the time when the Roman Empire was disintegrating. He founded a monastery near Rome around “a little rule for beginners” now famously known as the “Rule of Benedict” (RB). I reread this short, powerful work regularly for my own grounding, both as a leader and a follower of Jesus. Prayerfully consider the following, letting God speak to you through one or two of Benedict’s radical insights into discipleship/spiritual formation: 1. “This message is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will” (Prologue 3). 2. “Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service” (Prologue 45). 3. “Above all, he (the abbot) must not show too great concern for the fleeting and temporal things of this world…but should keep in mind that he has undertaken the care of souls for whom he must give an account” (RB 2:33-34). 4. “Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else” (RB 4:20-21). 5. “Place your hope in God alone” (RB 4:41). 6. “Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die” (RB 4:47). 7. “Prefer moderation in speech” (RB 4:52). 8. “Hate the urgings of self-will” (RB4:60). 9. “There are times when good words are to be left unsaid out of esteem for silence” (RB 6:2). 10. “Do not aspire to be called holy before you really are, but first be holy that you may truly be called so” (RB 4:62).
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May
