Every night at Compline, we reflect on a short passage from the Rule of St Benedict, to remind us of what we are striving to live, and to listen to what the Lord may have to say to us. We offer here personal reflections on the Rule, contributed to by the whole community and hope that, by sharing in our spiritual life, you will be able to explore further your own.
Obedience – the listening which changes life
These opening words of the Rule are modelled on the biblical wisdom tradition found in the opening chapters of the Book of Proverbs. It seems to me that St Benedict was especially inspired by some verses in the fourth chapter of Proverbs, “My child, … listen carefully to my words; … keep them deep in your heart. For they are life to those who find them …” (Prov 4.20-22). St Benedict is presenting a way that gives life. His teaching can only give life if the Gospel is permitted to change a life. The monastic way of life aims at creating the conditions which allow the Word of God to take root in a human person so that he or she becomes a new creation reflecting the life of Christ in their way of living.
At the heart of the monastic way is the search for God. The labour of the listening which changes life brings each person closer and closer to the God who is love. But the labour of obedience is not limited to an inner, personal, search for God: the personal search spills over into the remainder of life. It shapes one’s relationships with everyone with whom one is in contact for we believe they are to be treated as Christ himself – persons who can further deepen our monastic search for God.
The Book of Proverbs, chapters 3 and 4.
The Gospel of St Matthew, chapter 25.31-46.
St John Paul II, 1995, Apostolic Letter, Orientale Lumen, sections 9-16 with a particular emphasis on section 10.
Benedict XVI, 2008, Address to the Plenary Session of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, especially the final four paragraphs.