Most of us have drawers, boxes or closets full of things we no longer use that seemed at the time of purchase to be the greatest thing we ever acquired. Usually, we get bored, or styles change, or something even more special makes our “can’t live without” acquisition obsolete. The human appetite for “things” is insatiable because no thing we can acquire can satisfy us indefinitely. The same can be said for wealth, power, and status. We reach a point where what we accumulate is not satisfying enough. Self-indulgence is a never ending quest… “If only there was something more, something new”
Ultimately, most of the people I know who have found contentment and happiness have realized that those feelings are much more about giving than getting. Finding a higher purpose than self, developing and using our skills to achieve higher aims, creating a legacy that makes the world a better place long after your time has passed. Having the courage to aim high and developing the discipline and persistence to gain ground are the tried and tested ways to a fulfilling life.
I have found many people in history who demonstrated this path to a life of purpose, but none as motivating to me as St. Benedict.
St. Benedict died over 1400 years before I was born, but his life and the time in which he lived resonate with me. He was placed in an environment much like the world many of us find ourselves in today. During his formal education in Rome, he was surrounded by people of privilege in the pursuit of earthly reward. Most in his company became obsessed with the seductive trappings of honor, power, wealth, and pleasure. Benedict observed their lives being consumed by vice and knew he needed a different path. Reacting to the need to escape, he abandoned the mores of Rome and gave up his comfort ensured inheritance. His road to a purpose filled life led him to the mountains of Subiaco.
In the mountains, he met a hermit named Romanus who lived in a cave. When Benedict asked if he could share Romanus’ quarters, he was told “no”. Romanus pointed to a cave below his, and Benedict took up residence there, alone. Romanus would lower food down to Benedict, but Benedict’s formation through the life of a secluded hermit had begun.
Benedict used his time to pray, think and write. As a student in Rome, he studied Rhetoric, which is the art of using structured techniques to persuade. His old classmates had used their learned skills to achieve their earthly objectives, be it notoriety, monetary or physical satisfaction. Benedict used his skills to promote God and a lifestyle designed to be open to Him. During this seclusion, Benedict created the formation of what would become known as “The Rules of Benedict” which guide Monastic living in many parts of the world to this day.
In seclusion, Benedict also went through a period of purification, developing the discipline to empty his desire for pursuits that would distract his focus from God. As an example, during this time, consuming thoughts of a beautiful woman entered his conscious. Benedict drove them away by rolling in a bed of thorns until the thoughts subsided. While an extreme action and example, it is illustrative of Benedict’s dedication and focus- eliminating things that prevented a true and complete openness to God and his grace.
As Benedict formed in his cave, word of his holiness spread. A group of monks approached Benedict and requested that he lead their cloister. Benedict believed he would be too strict for the task and refused but ultimately relented. The monks, in fact, did rebel against his leadership, one trying to poison his wine at a community meal. Benedict was saved when he prayed over his wine glass before drinking and the glass shattered. He left the group and returned to seclusion.
Benedict did receive a calling to leadership shortly thereafter and the results were innovative and revolutionary. He first formed what would grow to be twelve small communities of monks living in monasteries in the Subiaco hills. From there, he formed a large monastery in Monte Cassino where the structure and practices he implemented became the founding model for the Catholic Church’s monastic development.
Benedict focused his monastic brothers on the bible, structuring daily time for reading, contemplation, memorization, and prayer. This food for the spirit was the fuel used to produce activities performed for and dedicated to the glory of God.
Benedict strived to create hearts ready for the infusion of grace from God. His methods were designed to empty the heart of human thoughts and desires, relying on God’s providence, goodness, inspiration, and love to guide the journey through life. His trust in God created several legendary results. In one instance, he ordered the last of the monastery’s oil be given to a poor visitor and then prayed as the jar of oil was refilled to overflow in front of an astonished set of monks.
Among Benedict’s most more famous quotes are the following:
“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.”
“Almighty God, give me the wisdom to perceive You, the intelligence to understand You, the diligence to seek You, patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You, a heart to meditate on You and life to proclaim You through the power and spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Whatever good work you begin, beg of God the most earnest prayer to perfect it.”
“He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.”
Benedict was not a fan of idleness as attested by the following:
“The sleepy like to make excuses.”
“Run while you have the light of life.”
“Idleness is the enemy of the soul: and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor sometimes, at others, in devout reading.”
St. Benedict has touched millions of lives, including mine. His “Rules of Benedict” can benefit us all and stand as an example that you can follow your heart, even against common practice and mores, to create something good and holy through courageous faith, discipline, and persistence.
