O God, by whose grace your servant Benedict, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church:  Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one  God, now and for ever.  Amen.  (From the Book of Common Prayer, Collect of a Monastic)

Tomorrow is the feast day of Saint Benedict.  It's an important day in the church year for all of us who associate ourselves with the Benedictine way.  It's a large family comprised of clergy and laity, religious and lay orders, in the United States and all across the world.  Although Saint Benedict lived from 480 to 547 AD, his Rule has been used down through the centuries and is still used today by Benedictines.  Many books have been written on the Rule of Saint Benedict.  In many ways, his rule seems to be more popular than ever.  What is it that draws people to Saint Benedict and his Rule of life?  I'm always interested in hearing other people's stories . . .

For now, I'll throw out some thoughts; feel free to add your own.

1.  The Benedictine Way is Christ-centered.
As I've said before, following the Rule of St. Benedict is on way to live out one's Christian faith.  It's not the only way but it is one way of working out our salvation.  He begins and ends his Rule with Christ.

This message of mine is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will, once and for all, and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience to do battle for the true King, Christ the Lord. (1:3). (Fry, 1981)

On the last page, Benedict closes with these words:

Are you hastening toward your heavenly home?  Then with Christ's help, keep this little rule that we have written for beginners.  After that, you can set out for the loftier summits of the teaching and virtues we mentioned above, and under God's protection you will reach them.   (Fry, 1981) 

2.  The Benedictine Way is Balanced.
One thing that can be safely said of the culture we live in today:  it lacks balance.  We live in a noisy, chaotic, busy, and often times angry world.  Benedict's Rule brings balance.  For example, a monk prays and works.  He works and rests.  He eats but not too much.  He sleeps but not to excess.  He is to spend time alone but also in community with others.  Again and again, the idea of living a balanced, ordered life is written about all through the Rule.

3.  The Benedictine Way is Ancient.
There is something to be said for the longevity of the Rule.  Not many things written 1500 years ago are being talked about, written about and even celebrated by the church today.  Yet, the Rule of Saint Benedict remains.  The church has regarded it as a good way to live.  It's simply stood the test of time.  I also like that the Rule comes before the division of the Church into the East and the West.  As Esther de Waal puts it, "It predates those unhappy divisions which occurred at the Reformation, and instead speaks of what is common, universal, foundational to all Christians.  So today in America Protestants and Lutherans, Episcopalians and Catholics, all find themselves at home in this Benedictine spirituality." (de Waal, 1984)

I could write much more about the way of Benedict but I've said enough.  It's your turn.  How has the Holy Spirit used the Rule in your life?

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de Waal, E. (1984).  Seeking God:  the way of St. Benedict.  Collegville, MN:  Liturgical Press.

Fry, T. (1981).  The rule of St. Benedict.  Collegeville, MN:  Liturgical Press.