Mtr Margaret Babcock
Jesus said, “…if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.”
—Luke 14:33 The Message
Dear Friends,
We read this difficult saying from Jesus on the feast day of St Benedict of Nursia. It’s a challenge to all of us, and we may be tempted to skim over it.
I wonder why this particular gospel passage was chosen for this saint’s day. Could it be because Benedict took these words seriously? And taking them at face value, he realized no one, not even monks and nuns, could follow this directive without real help. Maybe that’s why around 530 AD, Benedict wrote a Rule for Monasteries.
While the details of the Rule may not fit the lives of those of us living in the world, the three pillars upon which Benedict based his advice—obedience, stability and transformation—hold value for all serious Christians. These principles act as a bannister, helping guide and support our steps toward deeper commitment to God.
1) Obedience: In our freedom-obsessed culture, we don’t often receive this word as a positive. But the word’s Latin root ‘obedere’ means ‘to listen’. Benedict understood true freedom comes from the ability to set aside the sound of our own desires to hear God’s voice. We can practice this by listening deeply to other people, even those with whom we disagree, cultivating an attitude of openness and care. Such discipline carries over into prayer as we still our inner cacophony to listen to God.
2) Stability: This principle encourages us to stay focused and present in groups we belong to. For the monastic, commitment to one’s community was primary. But we too can practice stability in all our interactions with others. Recognizing that we have gifts to offer, as well as to receive, in circles of relationship, and persevering through hard times, is the training this discipline offers, preparing us for fidelity to God.
3) Transformation: Entering fully into the reality of Christ is the point of intentionally practicing both obedience and stability. It’s the finish line which Jesus delineated when calling us to let go of our passions. St. Benedict never lost sight of the need for transformation but understood that, for most, it’s something we approach incrementally.
Ultimately, St Benedict understood that we learn to love because God first loves us. His great gift to Christendom is helping us discern how to take part in God’s Way, so we become more and more Christlike and able to love God.
Blessings,
—Mtr Margaret
