St Benedict and The Instruments of Good Works
It's time to harvest more wisdom from The Rule of St Benedict. Last
time, St Benedict's words helped us understand how clutter in our
workspace distracts us from what's important. Now, as we've done in the
past, we look at "The Instruments of Good Works." We'll look at a few at a
time and see how we can apply one or two during our work day.
What struck me right off the bat was #7: Not to bear false witness.
The workplace can be a hotbed of gossip. It's too easy to say things about or
even listen to comments about others. It's better not to talk about
others when they're not present, and better not to listen to others talk
about others when they're not present. Too often, such comments aren't
charitable.
I used to think I never gossiped. Then I caught myself saying something about a fellow worker that simply wasn't charitable. It was true, but so what? It wasn't charitable. I should have just kept my mouth shut.
Next, #12: Not to seek after pleasures. Why do you work? Sure, you have to make money for the basics in life, e.g., you want to provide a decent life for your family. But then there are the "pleasures" so many of us seek: a bigger house, a newer car, fancy clothes, expensive vacations. It's an endless list. Do you really want to work for pleasures? Is that what work's all about?
I used to work in sales for a boss who tried to "motivate" me by showing me luxury items: cars, houses, vacations, boats - all that stuff. Fortunately, I didn't get sucked into that trap - after a bit of a struggle.
We'll continue with these Instruments of Good Works next time.
(1) In the first place to love the Lord God with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength.
(2) Then, one's neighbor as one's self.
(3) Then, not to kill.
(4) Not to commit adultery.
(5) Not to steal.
(6) Not to covet.
(7) Not to bear false witness.
(8) To honor all men.
(9) And what one would not have done to himself, not to do to another.
(10) To deny one's self in order to follow Christ.
(11) To chastise the body.
(12) Not to seek after pleasures.
(13) To love fasting.
(14) To relieve the poor.
(15) To clothe the naked.
(16) To visit the sick.
(17) To bury the dead.
(18) To help in trouble.
(19) To console the sorrowing.
(20) To hold one's self aloof from worldly ways.
(21) To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.
I used to think I never gossiped. Then I caught myself saying something about a fellow worker that simply wasn't charitable. It was true, but so what? It wasn't charitable. I should have just kept my mouth shut.
Next, #12: Not to seek after pleasures. Why do you work? Sure, you have to make money for the basics in life, e.g., you want to provide a decent life for your family. But then there are the "pleasures" so many of us seek: a bigger house, a newer car, fancy clothes, expensive vacations. It's an endless list. Do you really want to work for pleasures? Is that what work's all about?
I used to work in sales for a boss who tried to "motivate" me by showing me luxury items: cars, houses, vacations, boats - all that stuff. Fortunately, I didn't get sucked into that trap - after a bit of a struggle.
We'll continue with these Instruments of Good Works next time.
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