In A Good Life, Robert Benson teaches us that the cornerstone of such a contented life consists of a balance between prayer, rest, work, and community. But in a society that prioritizes work, fitness, success, ambition, and activity, any kind of real balance is difficult. As Christians, we are also confronted with Saint Benedict’s timeless admonition: “The Lord waits for us daily to translate into actions, as we should, his holy teachings.” In this way, we face competing calls: the world’s appeal to work hard and be successful versus the gospel’s summons to good works through humble service.

In my family, work is important. My parents came to this country with almost nothing. By hard work, frugal living, and determination, my mom and dad were able to buy a house, raise three children, and plan for retirement. What drove them, however, was not a desire for wealth, prestige, or influence. What drove them was love for their children and the sacred duty to feed, clothe, and house me, my brother, and my sister. It was never about them. It was always about loving us.

During my recent retreat with Sister Elizabeth Wagner of Transfiguration Hermitage, we talked about the challenges associated with finding and maintaining balance in a busy life. We also talked about two haunting propositions in Robert Benson’s A Good Life. First, he says: “Work never comes first.” And second, he says: “When it comes to work, just as when it comes to prayer, humility is the thing that keeps us in balance.” Benson explains that in a monastery, the abbot is both leader and servant. He or she has the responsibility to guide and shepherd the flock. He or she also has the responsibility to care for the weaker ones and to look for the lost sheep. The abbot must both lead and serve.

To be a good abbot, a good pastor, a good parent, a good grandparent, or a good boss means more than being an effective leader, organizer, or problem-solver. It requires more than hard work and perseverance. It requires prayer for ourselves and for those who depend on us. It requires an ability to balance our call to work with our need for rest. It requires self-care and an abiding concern for the common good. And it requires humility: the ability to take pride in our work without taking pride in ourselves; the ability to make the best use of our God-given abilities without being boastful or arrogant. Benson writes: “We are to see ourselves as servants above all else.”

As a priest, it can be easy to lose the servant-leader balance in clerical clothes and fancy vestments. It can be easy to lose the servant-leader balance in the linguistic weeds of titles like “father” or “presider” or “principal celebrant.” Whenever I find myself losing this balance, I remember that the laundry needs to be folded, the dishwasher needs to be emptied, or the large lawn at my house needs to be mowed. Completing these chores with a spirit of prayer and humility keeps me connected with reality, with the earth itself, and with our brothers and sisters who work so much harder than most of us ever will.

Robert Benson writes: “Perhaps we need to remember that the work we do is not actually the center of the universe. The work that we do — whatever it is, whatever hat we are wearing, however great or small it may seem to us or to anyone else at the time — is to be done in the service of the Center of the Universe.” Our work, then, is not about making money or getting a promotion. It is about serving God and serving others. Most of all, it is about remembering the difference.

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

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-29-24)
Bringing Home the Word (9-29-24)
The Kids Bulletin (9-29-24)

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