Rule of St Benedict Reading for September 2, 2009

January 2, May 3, September 2

Prologue

Let us arise, then, at last,
for the Scripture stirs us up, saying,
"Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep" (Rom. 13:11).
Let us open our eyes to the deifying light,
let us hear with attentive ears
the warning which the divine voice cries daily to us,
"Today if you hear His voice,
harden not your hearts" (Ps. 94[95]:8).
And again,
"Whoever has ears to hear,
hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Matt. 11-15; Apoc. 2:7).
And what does He say?
"Come, My children, listen to Me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord" (Ps. 33[34]:12).
"Run while you have the light of life,
lest the darkness of death overtake you" (John 12:35).

Some thoughts:

The Rule is centered on Christ and the Christian life. Any christian can accept this rule of life as an aid to living a virtuous life within the Church. The RB reminds us of the order we should have in our lives, the priorities and the disciplines. St, Benedict realizes that we have already been called to the Christian life by baptism, but if we have become lethargic in living out that commitment, this Rule is for us. St. Benedict tells us to begin this manner of following Christ right now, today. We can't live in the past or the future