Applying St. Benedict's "Tools for Good Works" to the Workplace During Lent - Part 5
(Originally posted in 2016)
We continue with the "Tools of Good Works" from St. Benedict's Holy Rule to help us focus on those acts of charity that we can perform during Lent in the work place.
But before we start with today's "tools," let's all get on the same page by covering a few important points.
First, I hope we can all agree that we ought to approach our work each day with the desire to do our best. More specifically, that we will produce work of such high quality that God Himself would be pleased with our efforts. That's simply one way of acting in accord with the resolution to work for "the greater glory of God."
But as we pointed out this past Sunday, we must be on our guard not to allow the excellence of our work to build up our egos. This applies both to our efforts and to whatever good results might ensue from those efforts. This can be challenging. But when we consider this from St Benedict's "Tools of Good Works," we gain an understanding that will allow us to take up the challenge:
To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself. But to recognize always that the evil is one's own doing, and to impute it to oneself.
In presenting both sides of the coin here, this particular tool suggested by St. Benedict may be medicine too difficult to swallow for some of us who work hard every day for a living. And it doesn't matter what sort of work you do. For example:
You know it's only human for any of us, when we've put out a supreme effort, to want some recognition. Even more so when our effort brings extraordinary results. Nothing wrong with recognition - unless you start thinking it's all about you. Re-read St. Benedict's tool - the whole thing. Not only does God get the credit for all the good in your life - even those things which come about due to your efforts - but you get to take responsibility for all your faults and sins.
Quite a lesson for us all there. But can you imagine how much good can come from this extraordinarily challenging "Tool of Good Works"? Your ego is held in check, perhaps over time it even shrinks. And yet you continue producing great work through your efforts. You take full responsibility for what doesn't go right in your life, especially any evil that results from your thoughts, words, and actions. No one else takes that blame.
It takes a big man to live this way; one who is emotionally and spiritually mature. Done with good intentions, and perseverance, our Lenten discipline will help us become that man.
We conclude today's remarks as we have been, with this traditional exhortation from the praying of the Stations of the Cross, to remind ourselves we live and work now in the holy season of Lent:
We continue with the "Tools of Good Works" from St. Benedict's Holy Rule to help us focus on those acts of charity that we can perform during Lent in the work place.
But before we start with today's "tools," let's all get on the same page by covering a few important points.
First, I hope we can all agree that we ought to approach our work each day with the desire to do our best. More specifically, that we will produce work of such high quality that God Himself would be pleased with our efforts. That's simply one way of acting in accord with the resolution to work for "the greater glory of God."
But as we pointed out this past Sunday, we must be on our guard not to allow the excellence of our work to build up our egos. This applies both to our efforts and to whatever good results might ensue from those efforts. This can be challenging. But when we consider this from St Benedict's "Tools of Good Works," we gain an understanding that will allow us to take up the challenge:
To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself. But to recognize always that the evil is one's own doing, and to impute it to oneself.
In presenting both sides of the coin here, this particular tool suggested by St. Benedict may be medicine too difficult to swallow for some of us who work hard every day for a living. And it doesn't matter what sort of work you do. For example:
- the police officer who conscientiously enforces the law day after day without succumbing to the temptation to use power unduly, who treats people with respect, and applies force appropriately when necessary, never excessively.
- the sales person who presents his product or service in a forthright, honest manner, never exaggerating, never using manipulating language or techniques to get the sale, yet succeeds in meeting and exceeding his quotas, even as others do.
You know it's only human for any of us, when we've put out a supreme effort, to want some recognition. Even more so when our effort brings extraordinary results. Nothing wrong with recognition - unless you start thinking it's all about you. Re-read St. Benedict's tool - the whole thing. Not only does God get the credit for all the good in your life - even those things which come about due to your efforts - but you get to take responsibility for all your faults and sins.
Quite a lesson for us all there. But can you imagine how much good can come from this extraordinarily challenging "Tool of Good Works"? Your ego is held in check, perhaps over time it even shrinks. And yet you continue producing great work through your efforts. You take full responsibility for what doesn't go right in your life, especially any evil that results from your thoughts, words, and actions. No one else takes that blame.
It takes a big man to live this way; one who is emotionally and spiritually mature. Done with good intentions, and perseverance, our Lenten discipline will help us become that man.
We conclude today's remarks as we have been, with this traditional exhortation from the praying of the Stations of the Cross, to remind ourselves we live and work now in the holy season of Lent:
We adore Thee O Christ and we bless Thee,
Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou Hast Redeemed the world.
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