Conception Abbey

It’s good for me and it’s good for you to reflect now and then on what makes me a Benedictine, whether a professed monk in vows, or an oblate who has made final oblation but continues to live in the world?

What is essential to our being followers of St. Benedict? First of all in reading the Rule of St. Benedict, we see that Benedict wanted his followers to first of all be good Christians, good followers of Jesus Christ. Look at all the times he either quotes directly from scripture or refers to a scripture passage. Obviously, we can say that as Benedictines we are to follow the Word of God, especially the Gospels.

I have frequently emphasized to the oblates that they should be active in their parish. Being an oblate is not to withdraw you from parish activities but hopefully to make you even more active in the parish. First of all being present for Mass as frequently as possible and especially on Sundays, but also volunteering in various ways as ushers, readers, Eucharistic ministers, etc. etc.

But, that does not answer the question of what specifically makes us Benedictines. What does St. Benedict seem to emphasize in his Rule. Certainly for him humility is very important. Chapter 7 is the longest chapter in the Rule and it is on humility. A few years ago in a retreat I gave here for the oblates we covered the first six degrees of humility. This coming fall in October, we will cover the last six degrees of humility. We soon learn that humility is sort of an all encompassing virtue for Benedict and one that he sees as very important for his followers. Most of us could spend the rest of our lives reading this chapter and reflecting on it.

St. Benedict also seems to emphasize the need for obedience. As you have probably heard or read the word obedience has the same root as the Latin word "to hear" or "to listen." So obedience is more than just following commands, it’s a matter of listening in the heart. Listening of course to the word of God in the scriptures, in the homilies we hear, in nature, in our hearts. And then it means seeing all these as ways that God is speaking to us. We listen and then we obey because in our hearts we know God is speaking to us. Calling us perhaps, to conversion, to change our way of life, to respond to a special vocation, to be faithful in my marriage, to be more loving parents etc. In so many ways in our lives we practice obedience if we are truly listening.

Of course St. Benedict also wants his disciples (both monks and oblates) to be men and women of prayer. We all know the emphasis he puts on the "Work of God." It is part of our day. We try to put a balance in our daily lives. Not just all work and no prayer or relaxation, but a place for everything that is important for a good and healthy life style. This is not easy to do in our busy world. Frequently we Benedictines hear ourselves described as men and women of "Prayer and Work." We hope that is true. If it is true it is because St. Benedict in his Rule insists on a balanced life. That is so important in our lives. Many of us professed monks as well as many of our oblates, I am sure, need to reflect on that and see where we could have a better balanced life.

So these are a few things that I see make us Benedictine monks and Benedictine oblates affiliated with Conception Abbey. Perhaps we can talk more about this at a later time

My pre-lenten letter will be in the mail by around the middle of February. Don’t forget to return your renewal of oblation form. And go to my personal blog at: http://www.kennethosb.blogspot.com/