Benedict again – who comes to us in unexpected ways! Today he brings us a message in obedience in order to discern.
“Narrow is the road that leads to life. They no longer live by their own judgment, giving in to their whims and appetites; rather they walk according to another’s decisions and direction, choosing to live in monasteries…this very obedience, however, will be acceptable to God and agreeable to others if compliance with what is commanded is not cringing or sluggish or half hearted, but free from an grumbling or any reaction of unwillingness. For the obedience shown to superiors is given to God.” (RB 5:10-15)
Benedictine obedience is obedience without an attitude. It is obedience in order to unify a community and to direct each other’s attention toward God. This kind of obedience lies in listening with the heart and to do what is called for and expected. It is not an obedience that points toward perfection, rather with an expectation that all of life is open to the possibility of change, in short because God is not defined by yesterday. Benedictine obedience demands self-discipline and it presumes struggle; it full of respect and it is full of humility. Obedience in this fashion is a listening with compassion without control – for one’s self and for the other. Obedience so that we are able to discern the Divine call on our lives.
It seems the most commonly asked question that the youth I work with struggle with is, “What is my purpose, why was I made? Why am I in this world?” Not too long ago I did some continuing education in Santa Fe (I know, right?) with my friend Nancy who is also a United Methodist pastor. We had found a small store that sold religious items. You know the sort of place, it is one of those places that sell icons, and paintings and holy cards as well as book galore. This shop was owned by a small little woman whose name was Connie Morales. She was a little woman – probably not quite 5 feet tall. And she had the kind of face I just love to look at – small face with deep wrinkles, crevices really, that were especially charming when she smiled. She was really old – so very old, that it was hard for her to move – hard to see – hard to last the whole day. Some would say she was older than dirt! But, there was this light in her eyes that was very young. While I was visiting her shop she gave me a charm of St. Benedict and a safety pin and told me that I should wear it pinned to my clothing every day! That he would protect me. Okkkkkay.
Anyway, we got to talking and I asked her how she came by that store. She told me it was originally her mother’s store – I think there was still stuff that belonged to her mom in that store. She was planning on getting a job at the post office when her mother died. Until then, she cared for her mother and ran the little shop. When her mother was on her death bed, she told Connie, “You know, you shouldn't leave the little shop. No one has what you have to give. People need what only you can give.” Did you hear that? No one has what you have to give. People need what only you can give.
Well, I would say that to each of you: No one has what you have to give – and the world needs what you have to give.
You are unique and a gift to the world from our Creator.
Live into yourself.
Discover the very thing that God made you for.
Listen to your heart.
Listen to others as they tell you what you are good for.
The scriptures say it like this:
You show us that you are a letter of Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God…on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3
So get out there – no one has what you have to offer – you are a letter from Christ, written with the Spirit of the living God. Oh, and by the way, you might be interested to know that I have St. Benedict pinned on my clothes – even today!
You might feel drawn to journal about this – or sit with the scripture in a Lectio manner.
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