Benedictine Way of Life

Benedictine Life

“Listen carefully, my child to my instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.”— Prologue to Rule of Benedict

In the 6th century, Benedict of Nursia tried to follow a spiritual path by himself, and realized he had to do this in community. From his awareness, we now have the Rule of Benedict, a way to find and follow God in community, balancing work, study, sleep, worship and prayers, and recreation. Members of Benedictine monasteries have used this rule for centuries. Today, people are developing ways to follow a rule as they live in the secular world, still connecting in community with spiritual friends and spiritual directors.  

This prologue to the rule is my favorite part of the rule. “Listen with the ear of your heart.” This is the call to the spiritual life, a way to live in the world still connected to God. First, we are to listen and pay attention. We are to use the ear of our hearts. We are to connect to something outside ourselves, hearing and loving. We hear and learn about love in a community outside of ourselves.  

There are many outstanding books about the Rule of Benedict. I will share three favorites, but I would like to hear from others about the books that have been most helpful as you try to find your rule of life. The Rule of Benedict, A Spirituality for the 21st Century by Joan Chittister, is used by the International Community of Hope to train lay pastoral caregivers, immersing them in Benedictine spirituality. Joan Chittister writes a short meditation after each part of the rule and applies it to everyday life.

 Always We Begin Again, The Benedictine Way of Living is a pocket-sized small book someone can carry daily. Memphis lawyer John McQuiston II wrote this modernization of Benedict’s Rule and included a sample rule of life.

 St. Benedict’s Toolbox is precisely what the author, Jane Tomaine, calls it in her subtitle, The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living.

 All three books are outstanding to read together in community, learning and supporting each other.

Joanna https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Balance and Turns Lessons from The Labyrinth

Balance and Turns Lessons from The Labyrinth

Guest Writer: Gary Kimmel

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”–Thich Nhat Hanh

Labyrinth All Saints Episcopal Church Southern Shores North Carolina

One September, I joined our church’s Labyrinth Walk for the Fall Equinox and Racial Reconciliation. A word that caught my attention from the brief service bulletin was “balance.” And that is what I focused on.

As I walked the labyrinth, I noticed two things: the stones that lined the path and the turns at the end of each path section. 

The stones keep one “balanced” during their journey. You can’t go too far right or too far left without the stones reminding you that you will be leaving the path. I remember how my parents, teachers, and other mentors were my “stones” growing up—never insisting or forcing, just reminding and encouraging. As I left childhood, I had to find my “stones,” a journey unto itself. I have been blessed with a loving wife, close family, and friends who make that journey worthwhile. My faith journey has been filled with challenges that have shown me the limits of my path, while travels and experiences have shown me how wide my path can be.

The turns at the end of each labyrinth section change direction and require you to focus on staying balanced. Turn too quickly, and you may stumble or fall. In life, I am often challenged with turns and changes in direction. Many are uninitiated by me and often take me out of my comfort zone. Those turns can throw me off my straight-line balance. I must be particularly aware of listening for God’s intention at those times.

All this reminds me that I am not in control – God is. So, the challenge is to discern the limits of my path – what God intends, not me. I am comfortable with what I have been called to, not coveting what someone else has been called to, and being supportive. And especially for me, to welcome the “turns” in my life that set me on paths I had never dreamed of.

Gary Kimmel

Joanna. https://www.joannaseibert.com/

Movements to Start the Day

Movements to Start the Day

“In the quiet of this morning, I recall the prayer and gestures of the deacon as he or she stands ready at the lectern before reading a gospel narrative each week. I make the sign of the cross on my forehead and say, dear God, may your Word be upon my mind; and then the gesture again on my mouth, may your Word be upon my lips; and then across my chest, may your Word be upon my heart.

I add the sign of the cross on my belly, and I am aware of my feet on the earth. I pray your Word be upon all my body and soul, grounding me in your Spirit, guiding my every step. I begin my day.”—Trish Stefanik in Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring from InwardOutward.org, Church of the Savior, Washington, D.C.

Trish Stefanik reminds us of the meaning of our gestures before reading the gospel. Making the sign of the cross during my more than twenty years as a deacon has become a habit. However, I usually gesture my hands and fingers without thinking about what I am doing. I typically am more concerned about whether I will pronounce words correctly in the gospel.

How wonderful to be reminded why we habitually do things. However, I often count on God to remember the meaning. I am moved when members of the congregation also make these movements before hearing the gospel read by the deacon. They may also be unknowingly praying these same prayers silently for themselves. Perhaps they are also praying for the gospel reader.

Trish Stefanik also adds a fourth movement to her belly, grounding her feet to the earth. Our bodies, especially our feet, ground us to the present moment. God most often meets us in the present moment.

Finally, there is one more gift from the author. She recommends these prayers and gestures to begin our day.

Today’s reading is a rich blessing, reminding us that our liturgical gestures have an even deeper meaning. When we remember why we are doing them, they introduce us to a deeper communion with God. The movements can be even more powerful if done in community. The gestures and prayers can also wake us each day to connect to the God of our understanding, who has been there all along.

Joanna. https://www.joannaseibert.com/