Choose your destination before you set out on a path. Their law is what they like to do, whatever strikes their fancy. Anything they believe in and choose, they call holy; anything they dislike, they consider forbidden (Rule of St. Benedict, 1.8-9) So . . . if you’re thinking that this is a description of …
Tag Archives: child-rearing
Zip It
I said, I have resolved to keep watch over my ways that I may never sin with my tongue. I have put a guard on my mouth…. [Psalm 39:1-3] (Rule of St. Benedict 6.1-6) Keep your mouth shut? It’s awfully hard to do. It’s especially difficult in a competitive environment, where talking is part of the …
Trust And Obey
The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.… [T]hey carry out the superior’s order as promptly as if the command came from God himself.… This very obedience, however, will be acceptable to God and agreeable to men only if compliance with what is commanded is …
Curb Your Urge
For this reason Scripture warns us, Pursue not your lusts Sirach 18:30. (Rule of St. Benedict 7.25) We live in a culture where it’s supposed to be fun to let yourself go. People announce that they’re about to let themselves go, and then they do it. Not only do they not feel shame: they expect you …
Housewife Manifesto
Housewife Definition And finally, never lose hope in God’s mercy. (Rule of St. Benedict 4. 74-77) Despair is a housewife with a televisionpeering through channels at the world passing her by.She seeks hope, but what a difficult decisionto turn off the screen and go sing a lullaby. So, what do you do all day, Ms. …
Hallow Your Speech Or Hollow Your Home
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. (Rule of St. Benedict 4. 24-28) Do not lie to your children. What about Santa Claus and …
King Once And King To Be
It is love that impels them to pursue everlasting life; therefore, they are eager to take the narrow road of which the Lord says: Narrow is the road that leads to life Matthew 7:14. (Rule of St. Benedict 5.10-11) When my son was not yet six years old, he asked me at Christmas: “How can God be …
Let Go Of Your Grudge
You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge. (Rule of St. Benedict 4.22-23) Do not nurse a grudge against your spouse. There’s nothing so corrosive to a marriage as silent bitterness cultivated in secret. Whenever bitterness begins to fester, get it out in the open! Express honestly whatever the problem is. Work …
Rid Yourself Of Anger
You are not to act in anger… (Rule of St. Benedict 4.22) It’s easy to be angry when interacting with children, because children are constantly doing things wrong. The more children you’re responsible for, the easier it is to remain in a state of perpetual irritation. But just because it’s a chronic feeling doesn’t mean …
Contend Courteously
The brothers, for their part, are to express their opinions with all humility, and not presume to defend their own views obstinately.…In the monastery no one is to follow his own heart’s desire.… (Rule of St. Benedict 3. 4-8) Sure, you have freedom of expression. But is it going to be the expression of a …