New Beginnings at Work - 4

Our last two posts circled back to the great Rule of St. Benedict. Continuing where we left off, St. Benedict now preps us for today's work.

Last time we left off with the intention of working for the greater glory of god. If we're serious about working for the greater glory of God, here's what we need to do first thing each day:

"Let us, therefore, gird our loins with faith and the performance of good works, and following the guidance of the Gospel walk in his paths, so that we may merit to see Him who has called us unto His kingdom. And, if we wish to dwell in the tabernacle of his kingdom, except we run thither with good deeds we shall not arrive."

As we approach the start of the work day, let's recall the words St. Benedict quotes from Scripture. Read these carefully. Frankly, we should immediately recognize the basic, fundamental nature of how we should think, how we should speak, how we should act towards everyone with whom we will come in contact today:

"But let us ask the Lord with the prophet: Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle, or who shall rest upon thy holy hill? Then, brethren, let us hear the Lord answering and showing us the way to that tabernacle and saying: 'He that walketh without blemish and doth that which is right; he that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath used no deceit in his tongue, nor done evil to his neighbor, nor believed ill of his neighbor.'"

Keep in mind, as our work commences, the designs of the devil - "the evil spirit" - should he decide to launch an attack at any time in any circumstances. Yes, I know some will roll their eyes at this. Belief in the devil has weakened. But we Catholics know that the devil must be taken seriously. That's why St. Benedict brings him into the Introduction to his Rule right away.

"He that taketh the evil spirit that tempteth him, and casteth him and his temptation from the sight of his heart, and bringeth him to naught; who graspeth his evil suggestions as they arise and dasheth them to pieces on the rock that is Christ."

Note our response to any attacks. We don't rely on ourselves alone here. But we must be vigilant. And when we recognize the devil's handiwork, we identify what he's trying to do as they arise and dasheth them to pieces on the rock that is Christ."

This recognition that we rely on God, not ourselves, extends to all we do, not just to our counterattacks on the devil. We not only rely on God in specific circumstances; rather we attribute all to Him - especially our good work and our good works throughout the day.

"Such men as these, fearing the Lord, are not puffed up on account of their good works, but judging that they can do no good of themselves and that all cometh from God..."

And here's why these preliminary instructions are so important for our work today:

"He that heareth these My words and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock. The floods came and the winds blew, and they beat upon a rock. The floods came and the winds, and they beat upon the house, and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock."

With a reliance on God and a recognition that all comes from Him, we will not focus so much on what we do to bring about good results from our daily labor. We take the focus off of ourselves.

So each day, let's keep St. Benedict's instructions fresh in our minds. It's a sure path to success - at least the success that really matters: effectively, consistently working for the greater glory of God. 

Of course, none of us is perfect. We should not be surprised if we stumble or fall short in our efforts. But our mistakes, failures, even our sins must not discourage us. Simply recognize that this day - today - that God has given us provides the chance make our amends. Amends for what? For our sins, of course. 

So today becomes not just another day, but a kind of bonus that God gives us to help us straighten out and fly right. 

"Having given us these instructions, the Lord daily expects us to make our life correspond with his holy admonitions. And the days of our life are lengthened and a respite allowed us for this very reason, that we may amend our evil ways."

Our life here on earth will come to an end. We're given one day at a time to make the best of it. Let's do all we can, while we can, to direct our efforts at work - and in all of our life - towards an eternal end. We'll let St. Benedict sum it all up for us:

"So brethren, we have asked the Lord about the dwellers in his tabernacle and have heard what is the duty of him who would dwell therein; it remains for us to fulfill this duty. Therefore 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. 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."