The Rule of St. Benedict at Work - Back to the Beginning - 4
We're continuing with our discussion of the Prologue from the Rule of
St. Benedict, applying its lessons to our work. The ground work for
making our work good work was laid last week. We also covered our
relationships with others: boss, co-worker, employees (if you manage or
own a business), etc. Observing St. Benedict's teaching results in a
firm foundation for all our endeavors.
But even with that foundation in place, we must persist in keeping it strong. We do this by obeying His Commandments, always begging for the grace we need to do so.
"...our hearts and bodies must be made ready to fight under the holy obedience of his commands; and let us ask God that he be pleased, where our nature is powerless, to give us the help of his grace."
If we're smart, our daily efforts will be driven by a sense of urgency. Eternal life may not be so far down the road as we think. The recent loss of our son was a poignant personal reminder. If you've never had the misfortune to experience a loss like this, count your blessings. Nevertheless, do whatever you can to instill that sense of urgency that will prevent you from becoming lax, from assuming that such a sudden catastrophe won't ever happen to you.
"And if we would escape the pains of hell and reach eternal life, then must we - while there is still time, while we are in this body and can fulfill all these things by the light of this life - hasten to do now what may profit us for eternity."
To assist them in their desire to build up their spiritual lives and grow closer to God, ultimately to achieve union with God while still in this world, monks have the enclosure of their monastery to provide a stable environment in which to practice the proscriptions of the Rule. Yet even within the stability provided by monastic life, St. Benedict many times throughout the Rule emphasizes that his proscriptions are designed not be too difficult, such that anyone with a sincere intention could successfully fulfill their obligations.
"Therefore must we establish a school of the Lord's service; in founding which we hope to ordain nothing that is harsh or burdensome."
What about us men in the "outside" world who don't work in an enclosed, stable place like a monastery? While St. Benedict doesn't provide a direct answer, by studying his Rule I think we can find solutions. I use the plural "solutions" because each of us will likely have to fashion our own solution, one that recognizes our individual circumstances. However, some basics can likely be shared by most, if not all of us.
Each morning, spend time in prayer, reading, study, and - even if only for a few minutes - meditation or contemplative prayer. An average of about an hour set aside in the morning should do it. When I first committed to this years ago, I simply had to get up earlier each morning. If I could do it, so can you.
While that should give you a good boost, you might work on the habit of recollecting yourself at least several times throughout the day, even if only for a few brief moments, to think of God, to share what's going on during the day, to ask for the strength you might need to do your best work, and the grace to intentionally offer that good work to Him, to work for His greater glory.
Availing yourself of the Sacraments of Communion and Confession on a regular basis will be your best sources of grace. Sunday Mass goes without saying. But maybe you can get to Mass during the week too. Confession should be a regular habit: maybe once a month?
While we've offered many specific and practical suggestions in these posts over the years, for now I'll leave the rest to your imagination. And while St. Benedict is a big proponent of moderation, he's not afraid to remind us not be too easy on ourselves:
"But if, for good reason, for the amendment of evil habit or the preservation of charity, there be some strictness of discipline, do not be at once dismayed and run away from the way of salvation, of which the entrance must needs be narrow."
In time, we'll harvest the fruits of our disciplined efforts.
"But, as we progress...our hearts shall be enlarged, and we shall run with unspeakable sweetness of love in the way of God's commandments; so that, never abandoning his rule but persevering in his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall share by patience in the sufferings of Christ, that we may deserve to be partakers also of his kingdom. Amen."
While we men working in the world will not pursue our eternal happiness in a monastery, we can do this with the sense of order, discipline, and stability outlined in St. Benedict's Rule. Doing so, with the help of God's grace, we too can "run with unspeakable sweetness of love in the way of God's commandments." Imagine being able to embrace those Commandments in such a spirit! May we all be blessed to do so.
But even with that foundation in place, we must persist in keeping it strong. We do this by obeying His Commandments, always begging for the grace we need to do so.
"...our hearts and bodies must be made ready to fight under the holy obedience of his commands; and let us ask God that he be pleased, where our nature is powerless, to give us the help of his grace."
If we're smart, our daily efforts will be driven by a sense of urgency. Eternal life may not be so far down the road as we think. The recent loss of our son was a poignant personal reminder. If you've never had the misfortune to experience a loss like this, count your blessings. Nevertheless, do whatever you can to instill that sense of urgency that will prevent you from becoming lax, from assuming that such a sudden catastrophe won't ever happen to you.
"And if we would escape the pains of hell and reach eternal life, then must we - while there is still time, while we are in this body and can fulfill all these things by the light of this life - hasten to do now what may profit us for eternity."
To assist them in their desire to build up their spiritual lives and grow closer to God, ultimately to achieve union with God while still in this world, monks have the enclosure of their monastery to provide a stable environment in which to practice the proscriptions of the Rule. Yet even within the stability provided by monastic life, St. Benedict many times throughout the Rule emphasizes that his proscriptions are designed not be too difficult, such that anyone with a sincere intention could successfully fulfill their obligations.
"Therefore must we establish a school of the Lord's service; in founding which we hope to ordain nothing that is harsh or burdensome."
What about us men in the "outside" world who don't work in an enclosed, stable place like a monastery? While St. Benedict doesn't provide a direct answer, by studying his Rule I think we can find solutions. I use the plural "solutions" because each of us will likely have to fashion our own solution, one that recognizes our individual circumstances. However, some basics can likely be shared by most, if not all of us.
Each morning, spend time in prayer, reading, study, and - even if only for a few minutes - meditation or contemplative prayer. An average of about an hour set aside in the morning should do it. When I first committed to this years ago, I simply had to get up earlier each morning. If I could do it, so can you.
While that should give you a good boost, you might work on the habit of recollecting yourself at least several times throughout the day, even if only for a few brief moments, to think of God, to share what's going on during the day, to ask for the strength you might need to do your best work, and the grace to intentionally offer that good work to Him, to work for His greater glory.
Availing yourself of the Sacraments of Communion and Confession on a regular basis will be your best sources of grace. Sunday Mass goes without saying. But maybe you can get to Mass during the week too. Confession should be a regular habit: maybe once a month?
While we've offered many specific and practical suggestions in these posts over the years, for now I'll leave the rest to your imagination. And while St. Benedict is a big proponent of moderation, he's not afraid to remind us not be too easy on ourselves:
"But if, for good reason, for the amendment of evil habit or the preservation of charity, there be some strictness of discipline, do not be at once dismayed and run away from the way of salvation, of which the entrance must needs be narrow."
In time, we'll harvest the fruits of our disciplined efforts.
"But, as we progress...our hearts shall be enlarged, and we shall run with unspeakable sweetness of love in the way of God's commandments; so that, never abandoning his rule but persevering in his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall share by patience in the sufferings of Christ, that we may deserve to be partakers also of his kingdom. Amen."
While we men working in the world will not pursue our eternal happiness in a monastery, we can do this with the sense of order, discipline, and stability outlined in St. Benedict's Rule. Doing so, with the help of God's grace, we too can "run with unspeakable sweetness of love in the way of God's commandments." Imagine being able to embrace those Commandments in such a spirit! May we all be blessed to do so.
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