McQuiston: Always We Begin Again
“The first rule is simply this:
live this life
and do whatever is done,
in a spirit of Thanksgiving.”
—John McQuiston in Always We Begin Again: The Benedictine Way of Living (Morehouse, 2011).
I purchase copies of this book in bulk to give to individuals who seek spiritual direction. My own copy is falling apart. It is pocket-sized, so I can carry it around with me throughout the day and leave it by my bed at night. McQuiston is a Memphis lawyer who has shaped and paraphrased The Rule of Benedict into modern language. Its simplicity is its beauty.
McQuiston’s story of how he was introduced to The Rule of Benedict is a reminder of how we are constantly cared for by God. At his father’s funeral, a priest friend of the family gave him Esther de Waal’s book, Living with Contradictions: Reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict. This led him to Canterbury Cathedral and a Benedictine experience—and a significant transformation in his way of life.
McQuiston distills a rule of life written for monks living in community in the sixth century to an essential essence. His book is a tremendous help to those of us in today’s world who do not live in a monastery, showing us how to establish a balanced routine amidst our busy schedules. I need to carry the book with me because I constantly forget and get pulled off-center and disconnected. I try to read the chapter on humility every day, for “I have such great ideas.” My rule of life changes more often than I would like, but McQuiston keeps reminding me how necessary it is to honor a rule, to stay connected to God and my community, and to remain thankful.
A revelation for me in reading McQuiston’s book has been how many principles of the Rule are incorporated into the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. When two disciplines speak truth, I try to take notice and realize this is indeed wisdom. The book also includes some meditative material and a sample rule of life.
Learning from the Rule of Benedict was a lifesaver during the past pandemic, particularly during Community of Hope International’s training for pastoral care, and it continues to be helpful now that we are starting a new class on Zoom in July.
Contact me if you are interested.
Joanna joannaseibert.com