Begin ....

“…. In the first place, beg of Him by most earnest prayer, that He perfect whatever good thou dost begin…” St. Benedict (2011-04-30). The Rule of St. Benedict (Kindle Locations 116-117). PlanetMonk Books. Kindle Edition.

This week ends the reading of the Rule with an admonition to embrace a zeal for goodness, recognition that the Rule is just the beginning, and the requirement to listen to the wisdom who have walked this road before us. 

This week begins the reading of the rule with a prayer that any good we do be perfected in Christ, a recognition that we are at the beginning of a journey, and the command to listen --- to incline the ear of the heart to hear Christ in the Rule. 

The ending and the beginning of the journey are the same discipline:  Work for the good, Listen for the voice of Christ in the world and words and wisdom around us, begin.  Today, each day, we begin.

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)