The Way

Reading today’s readings from Leviticus, Hebrews, and Matthew, Tom – today’s worship leader—asked us to hear these words with Benedictine ears.  We heard in these readings that rules – decrees, commandments – lead us in the way.  Following the rules we find a deeper understanding of Christ.  Conversely we also heard that when we deviate from the way, we are broken and desolate, but that if our heart is humbled and we make amends – when we remember the covenant, the rule, the way – God also remembers.  We are healed; we are chosen; we are his children.

The collect for this week focus us on Jesus as “the way, the truth, the life.”  Benedict created a community that walks in this way.  We continue to find wisdom in these Rules.

Tom also shared the song in the next post:  “Picture of Jesus” by Ben Harris.  Here are the lyrics:

Picture Of Jesus

Credits:  Ben Harper

Original Artist:  Ben Harper

It hangs above my altar


Like they hung him from a cross


I keep one in my wallet
for the times that

I feel lost


In a wooden frame with splinters


Where my family kneels to pray


And if you listen close


You'll hear the words he used to say

It has been spoken


He would come again


But would we recognize


His king among men


There was a man in our time


His words shine bright like the sun


He tried to lift the masses


And was crucified by gun

Some days have no beginning


And some days have no end


Some roads are straight and narrow


And some roads only ben
d

So let us say a prayer


For every living thing


Walking towards a light


From the cross of a king

I’ve got a picture of Jesus


In his arms my prayers rest


I've got a picture of Jesus


And with him we shall be forever blessed

Picture Of Jesus - Ben Harper

Tom shared this song with our community this morning.

Following the Tools of Good Works in our Hearts

This morning we read from Leviticus, hearing the rules to keep the people holy; we read the urgings of Paul to the Thessalonians to act as holy people.   This week in the Rule of Benedict we have begun to read about the Tools of Good Works – 73 tools to use in our work for Christ.  How we behave should be an extension of our faith and our love of Christ.  We are reminded to be guided be these rules and live by these rules with the help of the community and the leadership of the Abbot.

Our discussion this morning of the readings from scripture illuminated our the readings in Benedict. Following the rule does not bring us to Christ, but our love of Christ brings us to follow the rule so as to live our faith.   Our motivation should be for Christ not ourselves or our own rewards.  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21)

We spoke of transparency; our motives should be apparent.  Our hearts should be focused on Christ, and love of Christ should be visible in our works.  We are His people. 

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)

Gratitude: Louie Schwartzberg at TEDxSF

Recently, as Tom led us in our morning prayer reflection on The Rule, we
spoke of paying attention to signs of God in our presence, listening to
the voice of God in those we meet each day, and being mindful of our
response to God in our midst.  The practice of piloting our day with God
as our navigator should shift how we see the world around us.  Tom
shared as story:  he has been visiting Martin's during its renovations,
and as a man who enjoys order, this has often been frustrating; however,
as the renovations came together, he began to appreciate the work and
efforts of the staff who have created a truly wonderful store; in a God
moment, he shared his appreciation with the store's manager, a man who
had been hearing many frustrated tales and was grateful to be recognized
for his hard work.  In light of this story, Daniel shared this video about
gratitude:

Noon Mantra

"Trailing clouds of glory do we come from God."  William Wordsworth

Seek ye first

Above all things, that the Prioress may not neglect or undervalue the welfare of the souls entrusted to her, let her not have too great a concern about fleeting, earthly, perishable things; but let her always consider that she has undertaken the government of souls, of which she must give an account. And that she may not perhaps complain of the want of earthly means, let her remember what is written: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.” And again: “There is no want to them that fear Him.”  St. Benedict (2011-04-30). The Rule of St. Benedict (Kindle Locations 252-260). PlanetMonk Books. Kindle Edition.

Over the past several months, as I move out of my work community, I have clung to the worries and cares of that community.  Especially as I have read this chapter in The Rule about leadership, I want to reach out to them with these words.  However, while I tell myself I want to speak out and be heard for the good of the community, I believe I really want to speak out in anger, “to presume to defend [my] own views obstinately.”  I presume to know how to fix things.  So, in true Benedictine fashion, I have attempted to hold my tongue, to listen more than I speak.  I am trying to be humble – although even as I write these words I recognize a lack of humility.

However, in that effort, I listened to my sister who told me about a woman who prays for her.  This woman was called to pray for my sister as she assumed a teaching and leadership role in her community Bible study.  Four years ago she began praying, and my sister only recently learned of this gift.  I was intrigued by this story; I asked about the call: how did she know what God wanted her to do; why didn’t she share her prayers with my sister until now.

A great deal of pride and egotism lives in my desire to rebuke and correct and encourage and advise.  A great lack of faith resides in this inability to walk away and trust the institution and leave it all in God’s hands.  So, I intentionally set all this aside.  I will follow the example of the woman who has prayed for the leadership in her community.  I can humbly do this: I can put worries and cares into God’s hands; I can trust God with the leadership.