My children, “…diligently cultivate silence…” (Be still and know that I am God.) Rule of St. Benedict 42 The spiritual discipline of silence has an age-old history. In the spectrum of spiritual disciplines, it belongs to the category of fasting. Exercises such as fasting–from food or from mental stimulus–not only benefit our physical and mental …
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Hold Your Peace
The ninth step of humility is that a monk controls his tongue and remains silent. . . . for Scripture warns, In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning (Proverbs 10:19). [Rule of St. Benedict 7.56-58] When you get to the point of being able to hold your tongue, you know that the …
Choose Your Destination
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 …
Forbear
In truth, those who are patient amid hardships and unjust treatment are fulfilling the Lord’s command: When struck on one cheek, they turn the other; when deprived of their coat, they offer their cloak also; when pressed into service for one mile, they go two [Matthew 5: 39-41]. (Rule of St. Benedict 7.42) If you had to …
Persevere
For Scripture has it: Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved, [Matthew 10:22]and again, Be brave of heart and rely on the Lord. [Psalm 27:14]. (Rule of St. Benedict 7.36-37) Discipline for a goal always was, and still is worth it. People with ordinary faces get up every day and keep going: for the sake …
Wise Up
Repent Definition If at all times the Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see whether any understand and seek God (Psalm 14:2)…After sparing us for a while because he is a loving father who waits for us to improve, he may tell us later, This you did, and I said nothing (Psalm 50:21). (Rule …
Silent Night, Holy Dawn
Elegant Definition We absolutely condemn in all places any vulgarity. . . . (Rule of St. Benedict 6.8) In the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters. He spoke, and called forth formed things. To live a holy life is to move within these forms willingly. A holy life is an elegant life. …
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 …
Redemption
Place your hope in God alone. If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, not to yourself, but be certain that the evil you commit is always your own and yours to acknowledge. (Rule of St. Benedict 4. 41-43) Glaciers are receding, and at first the mountains they leave behind are as …