My wife and I are oblates at the Benedictine monastery in Erie, PA. As such, we make annual commitments to follow the Rule of St. Benedict in our own lives and in our life in the world. Of course, we fall short, but what good is a goal if it can be reached? The Rule is divided into daily readings, and this is the first paragraph of today's reading:"Your way of acting should be different from the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else. You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge. Rid your heart of all deceit. Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love. Bind yourself to no oath lest it prove false, but speak the truth with heart and tongue."
Some of Benedict's Rule (written in the 6th century) deals with the inner workings of a monastery, and so, may not seem readily accessible to us in the 21st century. But the Benedictine spirit shines throughout, and in my opinion, nowhere clearer than in today's reading. Every time it comes around (which is every four months), I'm filled with inspiration and understanding—that is, understanding that I have a long way to go!
"Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love." What would things look like if we live this way?
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