Each month, I reflect on a small portion of the Rule of Saint Benedict. May the Rule shape our hearts in following Jesus.
Prologue Verses 29-34
| These people fear the Lord, and do not become elated over their good deeds; they judge it is the Lord’s power, not their own, that brings about the good in them. They praise (psalm 14[15]:4) the Lord working in them, and say with the Prophet: Not to us, Lord, not to us give the glory, but to your name alone (Ps 113[115]:9). In just this way Paul the Apostle refused to take credit for the power of his preaching. He declared: By God’s grace I am what I am (1 Cor 15:10). And again he said: He who boasts should make his boast in the Lord (2 Cor 10:17). That is why the Lord says in the Gospel: Whoever hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who build his house upon rock; the floods came and the winds blew and beat against the house, but it did not fall: it was founded on rock (Matt 7:24-25). |
Commentary
As we read the Prologue, Benedict reminds us that we are constantly invited to follow the Lord. Today’s invitation is to build our values and lives on a solid rock—on a firm foundation. If my life is built on a rock foundation, I can consider a serious question: What are the non-negotiables of my spiritual life? Do I make deliberate time for prayer, silence, and lectio? God is always calling us go deeper in our spiritual lives, and access to that journey is by maintaining the non-negotiables in our life with Christ. The non-negotiables help us maintain a healthy fear of the Lord. We want to do all that pleases God.
Prayer
Jesus, let me build my life on you. Be my rock, and give me strength to follow you unreservedly each day. Amen.
Enlarge my heart 
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