Benedictine Spirituality

Modern life can have few obvious parallels with the community way of life commended by St. Benedict in the sixth century. But the simplicity of authentic Christian living does not require us to withdraw or hide from the world. Instead, we are called to live simply as a means by which we can avoid the temptation to crowd God out of our lives with an over-abundance of material and practical distractions. A Christian seeking to live a life marked by simplicity and accountability serves as a pointer towards God for others; to be ascetic is to train oneself to recognize that our primary dependence is on God rather than on our wealth, or even on the meeting of our physical needs. Benedict provides practical advice about how to live in such a way that we are not spiritually dominated by our physical desires and needs. A key feature of this advice is that we remain open and accountable to each other for our Christian discipleship.

Being a Christian is about one's life being centered upon Jesus Christ. It is not about successfully obeying a particular set of rules. Yet in response to our call, our vocation, to center our lives on Christ, it is good to identify what can help us. What can prompt us to remember that our life is directed to Christ? What can encourage us to take the difficult, or unpopular, or ungratifying decisions that present themselves when we no longer put ourselves at the center of our lives? What habits might we foster to promote a ready reliance on Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour? With clear intentions regarding such prompting, encouragement and habits, our aspirations can be brought to life. Seeking to live holy lives, seeking first the Kingdom of God, we need to consider the actual means by which that might ever come to be.

God is ever present; we live this truth in our turning to God in prayer, and by recognizing Christ in those whom we encounter in life. Benedict encourages us to be more constant in our mindfulness of Christ. Benedict therefore developed his "Rule" for life in Christian community.

Benedictine community life settled into a number of connected rhythms. Each day involved several times of joining together for short periods of prayer, shared meals, work, rest, and private study. The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church stands squarely in the Benedictine tradition, intending that individuals take time to pray alone or in small groups in the morning, at noon, in the early evening, and at bedtime. Over time such a daily pattern of prayer provides a firm foundation of discipleship, bringing together a deep awareness of God and ordinary, everyday life.

Benedict encourages us to recognize that work is not just necessary, but is also an opportunity to use our talents to serve others. Yet work can easily become burdensome, constricting our vision of the fullness of life. We need good time to rest, good time enjoying our community, good time in prayer. A balance helps us to recognize and celebrate the fullness of our life in the presence of God. Benedict envisaged that each day would allow everyone an opportunity for study, service rest and prayer. In the Benedictine tradition prayer is not an activity separate from the rest of one's life. Benedictine prayer is an attitude, a way of looking at the world, where everything is regarded as holy and as a gift from God. The humble implements of the community kitchen were to be treated with the same reverence as the holy vessels of the altar.

The Bishop's Mission Corps will seek inspiration for its community life from the insights of Benedictine spirituality as it has developed over the ages. It will be both something new, and something ancient. It is not summer-camp for twenty-somethings; while it is hoped that much of the experience will be enjoyable, the primary purpose is that the experience be meaningful.

Vocation

Vocation is about far more than whether or not one feels called to be a priest or deacon. By nature, God calls us; we are called into being and we are called into discipleship. Our primary vocation, therefore, is as the people of God, and as disciples of Jesus Christ. In an world ever busier, frantic with activity, it is often no simple task to discern how might best respond to that central calling. It is a task which is theological, both intellectually and practically.

Theological study and reflection will inform and be nourished by a pattern of daily communal prayer and worship. Workshops on personality type, skill and aptitude assessment will initiate an attentiveness to personal vocational discernment, involving field trips to industry, hospitals, churches, commerce, outreach ministries and universities. Question and answer times with various professional people, entrepreneurs, employers and employees will address the question of what it is to be a Christian in the midst of the world today.

Resources on the Benedictine tradition:

Always We Begin Again (John McQuiston II,Morehouse Publishing 1996)
Seeking God (Esther de Waal, Liturgical Press, 2001)
Prayer and Community (Columba Stewart OSB, Orbis Books 1998)
The Benedictine Handbook (Liturgical Press, 2003)
The Rule of Benedict for Beginners (Will Derkse, Liturgical Press, 2003)
Beginning Again: Benedictine Wisdom for Living with Illness (Mary C. Earle, Morehouse, 2004)