Here are some reflections from my book The Benedictine Way:
Saint Meinrad is a holy place because God is taken seriously there. The monks seek him in their daily prayer and work. They celebrate his goodness, and they implore his help in times of need. Of course, a lot of ordinary stuff—pettiness, quarrelling and selfishness—happens on the “holy hill” because sinful human beings live and work there every day. Still, the things of God are evident to anyone who has eyes to see. Saint Meinrad Archabbey reflects the presence and power of God sometimes in little ways but often enough in big ways. It truly is a holy hill, a sacramental sign that God is with us always.
The Archabbot of Saint Meinrad, Kurt Stasiak, summarizes Benedictine monasticism as “seeking God in community.” This presumes a commitment to being guided by others and helping others find God. Prayer and fidelity to the common life are the principal ways that followers of St. Benedict seek God in community over the course of a whole lifetime. Archabbot Kurt goes on to say that “mutual obedience to the Rule, the abbot and to each other is the way to God” for monks and for all who strive to live according to the teaching of St. Benedict.
Once it is understood and lived authentically, The Benedictine Way is truly a way of peace and joy. That never happens overnight. It takes time to absorb the principles and practices of Benedictine spirituality and to integrate them into our minds and hearts. This is true for vowed monks whose whole lives are dedicated to living the Rule of Benedict in a particular place and time. It’s also true for ordinary people who are not called to be monks but who are seeking ways to live the Gospel that can help us cope with the madness of everyday living “in the world.”
###
The Benedictine Way by Daniel Conway is available at www.danielconwayauthor.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment