Special Tools to Establish Stability in the Workplace - 11
As we proceed with our Special Tools, let's be sure to recognize that we do so in the Holy Season of Advent.
Recall that, in his Rule, St. Benedict provides us with "tools" that can help us foster stability in the workplace. Last time we referenced the ever-growing web of lies we're subjected to these days. While falsehoods come often in this world, it seems that we're in one of those periods where their proliferation has reached a kind of critical mass.
To be sure, momentum was building before our current C-Virus Mess descended on us in 2020. But with the unleashing of lock-downs, censorship, and "vaccines," the Father of Lies is clearly on a roll. Somehow, the sheer increase in volume and frequency of lies feeds on itself. While always a challenge, finding truth among the flood of falsehoods now takes more time and effort. And all of this can easily distract us as we get down to our day's work.
Even when I limit my exposure to general media "news" in the morning, there's almost always something that weighs on my mind as I begin to tick off the items on my task list. Lately, it's been the incredible, outrageous but all too real push to jab children. If you've got young children or grandchildren, you may be awash in anxiety over this. If, for some reason, the thought of jabbing young children seems perfectly sane and safe to you, I'd ask you to take a step back and reconsider.
In any case, even as I place my trust in God best I can, the worry for these children - particularly those in our family - can easily insert itself into my thoughts and feelings as I'm working. It's all I can do to steady myself in the face of such destabilizing concerns.
As we noted last time, increase in personal sanctity will be our primary means of establishing stability in our lives. Our daily labor - which must be attended to no matter our state of mind or emotions - needs to be grounded and settled if we're to produce our best results as we work for the greater glory of God. St. Benedict's Tools of Good Works have been offered in recent weeks as a means to ground ourselves and establish that stable base we need.
Today we look at the balance of these tools. Rather than comment on each here, let's read each individually. Those that grab our attention right away can serve as source of a mini-meditation in the midst of our work day. We will always benefit from the habit of recollecting ourselves during the work day; more so if we take even a minute or two in quiet, calm thought, about one or more of these Tools. Each and every one can help us produce our best work in an atmosphere of calm and stability, despite any problems and distractions we face, especially those coming at us these days. Perhaps we've already experienced the stability that will come if we heed St. Benedict's advice, as expressed in these "Tools of Good Works." In addition, maybe we've found them a great aid in observing Advent faithfully, no matter how busy our workday, not matter how many problems and distractions we face.
So with all this in mind, we'll finish our review of St. Benedict's Special Tools. Much could be said of each. Why not simply take time now, or later in the day, or tomorrow, or whenever, to focus on one or more of these. Allow each to penetrate mind and soul. All of these will help us develop the calm, peace, and stability we need to perform all our work with the fervor and exactness that result in excellence in both our work and our spiritual life.- To fulfill God's commandments daily in one's deeds.
- To love chastity.
- To hate no man.
- Not to be jealous.
- Not to give way to envy.
- Not to love contention.
- To shun vainglory.
- To reverence the old.
- To love the young.
- To pray for one's enemies in the love of Christ.
- To make peace with one's adversary before sundown.
- And never to despair of God's mercy.
As we approach Christmas Day, we'll break from our review of the Rule of St. Benedict, to re-commence in 2022.
For now, let's apply these special Tools, in the recollected spirit of this Holy Season of Advent.
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