Prologue, part 2 - January 2

Let us arise, then, at last, for the Scripture stirs us up, saying, "Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep" (Rom. 13:11).

Let us open our eyes to the deifying light, let us hear with attentive ears the warning which the divine voice cries daily to us, "Today if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts" (Ps. 94[95]:8). 

And again, "Whoever has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Matt. 11-15; Apoc. 2:7). And what does He say? "Come, My children, listen to Me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord" (Ps. 3[34]:12). "Run while you have the light of life, lest the darkness of death overtake you" (John 12:35).

Listen is the watch word as we begin this little voyage. I fully appreciate how Benedict used scripture to lay out the Rule using his own words only as a means of connecting the main ideas he wised to express. Listen, he said first and now in the next breath he urged us to literally wake up so we not only hear but see what we are supposed to learn. His first challenge is to not fall into the same habit as the ancient Hebrews who failed to listen to God when they were in the desert and, but for the heartfelt pleading of Moses, may have perished there because of their insolence.

I am prepared to listen. The call from Psalm 95 is daily reminder in the Invitatory to be open to the word which may come to us that day. My concern, as already voiced, is how to be certain the voice is that of the Lord and not something originating within me that lacks divine influence. I am optimistic that as the calendar pages flip forward more wisdom, more knowledge, more tools will come to guide discernment.

We also catch our first instance of another recurring theme, zeal. Run, we are told, before the darkness overtakes us. There is urgency in the rule which falls right in on another understanding I recently embraced. In matters of faith and spirituality, there is only now. Every now, or moment, that slips by is a lost opportunity to grow our faith and devotion and to be of service. Certainly by the time tomorrow comes, everything may have changed. In his day, some kind of tragedy might suddenly strike and the same might be true for us. For me.

There is balance to find. First there has to be no delay in making the commitment. I also need to work diligently everyday but must be prepared to be patient. The fruits of faith are not always quick to be mature. I can't do this on my own. I need his help but also have to do my part.