Today's artwork features St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547), considered to be the founder of western monasticism. Searching for a place away from city life, he first spent three years of solitude at Subiaco. Later, moving to Monte Casino, Benedict wrote his Rule for monastics living in community. The Rule of Benedict still orders the life in most western monasteries and has wisdom for holy living by non-monastics.
Opening Prayer
God of the dawn and the dusk,
we adore and worship you
as daylight floods the earth.
You have given us Jesus
as the true teacher of righteousness
and the light of all nations.
We give you praise and thanks
for showering your radiance upon us
and calling us to enter the narrow gate
by deeds of justice and peace.
All glory and adoration be yours
through Christ and the Holy Spirit
forever and ever. Amen.
Read John 7:25-36
Monastic Wisdom on Humility
If I accept myself as ordinary, weak, frail, in other words, totally human and totally dependent upon God, then I am stripped of any sense of being in some way set apart, different, superior. It is then that the genuine, real self may begin to emerge. Esther de Waal
Closing Prayer
God, you called the Creation from the darkness of chaos. Hear our prayer this day and protect us from every evil. Make us witnesses to your glory. We ask this through Christ our hope. Amen
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