For nearly fifteen centuries, the Rule of Saint Benedict has guided communities of religious men and women in the practice of living together and loving each other. Saint Benedict is often called the “founder of western monasticism.” But his intent was not to create a religious order or to construct a system of law and order. Rather, Saint Benedict’s goal was a “school for the Lord’s service” in which his followers would learn how to live as Christian disciples based on the core principles of prayer, rest, work, stability, humility, obedience, and an abiding commitment to the common good.

During my recent retreat with Sister Elizabeth Wagner of Transfiguration Hermitage, we spoke at length about how we are all complicit in allowing our culture to become an ugly contest between you and me, us and them. Our egos, demands, and desires are increasingly angry and uncompromising. All too often, we cross the line from self-interest to self-obsession, from individualism to atomism, as if our own personal concerns are somehow more important than the needs of our neighbors.

Needless to say, human nature has not changed much since Saint Benedict wrote his rule in the sixth century. He was determined to check and temper selfishness with the love, mercy, and generosity of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Here are just a few of the saint’s admonitions: “Show equal love to everyone. Accommodate and adapt yourself to each one’s character and intelligence;” and “No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else;” and “All who present themselves are to be received as Christ.”

In his book, A Good Life, Robert Benson writes: “Benedict calls us to a constant awareness that those who enter our world are all to be treated as though they were the Christ. He calls us to a posture, a way of seeing and of welcoming and of serving that is rooted in the sense of adoration of the Christ that is present in us all.” In this way, life is about living in community in the fullest sense. It is about respecting the dignity in every person. It is about believing in the divine essence that is present in all of God’s children. It is about loving, serving, and welcoming our neighbors — no matter who they may be.

The relevance of Saint Benedict’s teaching for our time is striking. And yet, none of his teachings are intended as social or political commentary. They are an effort to teach us lessons about how to love and serve the Lord here and now. They are intended to help us balance our individual interests with the good of the community. Benson writes: “The Rule calls us to order our lives and to maintain a sensibil- ity for others that keeps us aware of and reflects the presence of Christ among us always. Whether they live down the hall from us or are yet a stranger to us does not matter. The Christ among us is always to be honored, in things both great and small.” A good life, then, is a life during which what we want is balanced with what our neighbors need.

In the end, Saint Benedict encourages us to consider again and again how to live a life of love within the community of our friends, colleagues, loved ones, and the brothers and sisters who live next door. He creates a school of salvation and assigns us the challenging homework to live the Gospel and share God’s love. He takes us by the hand and leads us on the way of salvation. And he beckons us from across the centuries: “See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life.”

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

Note: Father Jim’s reflections on A Good Life will continue next week with a focus on work.

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Call to Prayer
An Ecumenical Christian Prayer

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