St. Benedict's
wisdom for
our times
"L
et us get up then, at last, for the Scriptures rouse us," the
Rule of St. Benedict urges us. "Let us open our eyes to the
light ... and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day
calls out. ... 'If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts"' (Ps
95:8). On July 11 the Church observes the memorial of St. Benedict, and
his words from 1,500 years ago seem perfectly fitting for our challenging
and changing times.
The Rule of St. Benedict was written some time around 530, a time when
the Roman Empire had collapsed and Christianity's existence in Europe
was threatened. Given our current cultural situation and its parallels with
his time, I believe we can find fruit in St. Benedict's teachings.
Saint Benedict grew up surrounded by a culture that was morally corrupt
but with the grace of God lived a virtuous life. After spending some time in
Rome for studies, he fled its moral decadence to pursue a more solitary life.
St. Benedict lived the life of a hermit for several years before he eventually
founded several monasteries, which became centers of prayer, manual
labor and learning.
St. Benedict begins his rule by urging the monks to "Listen carefully to the
master's instructions and attend to them with the ear of your heart" (Rule,
Prologue 1). For us, this means establishing a daily time to listen to the Lord,
both in reading the Scriptures and in conversational prayer and meditation.
BY ARCHBISHOP
SAMUEL J. AQUILA
Archbishop
of Denver
