This is what I said then:
Making some allowances for the harsh language of ancient times, RB 72 suggests that Benedict is essentially urging against lukewarm discipleship. That may still leave the modern Christian living in a secularized world wondering what good zeal looks like? What's the point of its exercise? How do we foster it in our own relationships? The first question has to be how we spark the flame of zeal in our spiritual lives to begin with. OSB. Rule of Benedict : Text, English, Apr/May Aug Dec 3/3
I myself have been drawn to the monastic impulse for more than a decade: the vision for the Christian life, the sense of rhythm and structure, and the idea that a community can be built upon the footings of common commitment amongst all Christians and not only within the boundaries of a closely defined group like single church or monastery. The notion of good zeal holds these elements together. I understand good zeal to mean the intention to continually turn toward Christ and exercise my gifts in increasing alignment with the calling of God. That calling inevitably leads to service. For someone like me who prefers the simplicity of silence and solitude, this is not a comfortable understanding. I would rather pray another Psalm or write another reflection than enter into the chaos of others to do as God would want me to do.
And yet, as central as the notion of zeal might be, it sometimes proves the weakest link. I don't always feel it. I don't always have great clarity about God's call, nor do I always have an overflowing reservoir of vigor and enthusiasm so great that I am unaffected by the real challenges of living with human frailty and the disappointments that come from seeing the ways we treat one another in community. I think of Saint Mother Teresa who famously wrote in her diary is after her order was well established she could no longer hear the voice of God so she simply followed the dictates of faith and hope for the rest of her life. If she, a saint, had to do all the good she did with getting nothing back from God but the chirping of crickets, what can I, a rather pedestrian sinner expect? I have to ask, isn't the purpose for zeal to motivate us with joy, and happiness like the pleasant emotions that come from Labrador puppies and Grandma's suet pudding?
I come to RB 72 with curiosity and hope. How can the notion of good zeal help me hold to the vision of a Christ-centered life might look like--a life of community, simplicity, and service rooted in the Word? I want the sense of good zeal to inspire my hope that God's grace and God's possibilities are present in the midst of human frailty even when I cannot see them, even when I'm not "feeling it". Thomas Merton wrote, "Courage comes and goes . . . Hold on for the next supply" (location unknown). If the same might be said of good zeal, then I am curious about its coming and hopeful that we are afforded a little room to experience its occasional absence and practice holding on for the next supply!
What's the point of good zeal?
It's easy enough to recognize good zeal in action and to accept, in principle, that it is something that might be cultivated, but is it worth the lifelong effort? Let's briefly explore some possible motivations behind Benedict's punch line. What makes zeal important? Indispensable? What's the purpose of zeal that makes it worthy of our practicing toward it? Scripture and the Prologue to the Rule offer some clues.
For example, in Colossians 3:12-17 Colossians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB we hear a biblical call to the kind of life in a community that resembles the spirit of RB 72: "Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection." Good zeal points toward loving and compassionate action in the community.
Similarly, Philippians 2:1 - 8 Philippians, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB describes an exercise of mutual service which reflects the model of Christ: "5 Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross." The fulfillment of good zeal in Christ resembles selfless service in the community.
And if we want to search out Benedict's motivations as he comes to the end of the Rule and speaks of good zeal, we need to look no further than his beginning. Already from the RB Prologue, Benedict describes a "school for the Lord's service" in which disciples are progressing, running the path, delighting in love, faithfully observing God's teachings, exercising patience and sharing in the sufferings of Christ. That is what Benedict means by good zeal--loving action in the community, eyes fixed upon Christ, and participating in the kingdom of God.
How do we cultivate good zeal in our own lives?
It might be tempting to let notions of good zeal slip into the nether or to pretend we're always waiting for the next supply. Benedict urges us instead to find grounding in the actual exercise of life in the community. Everyday women and men like you and me are called to cultivate good zeal and to support one another in that process of discipleship.
When I first compiled this material several years ago, I intended to use it as a means of helping others uncover zeal and incorporate it into daily life. I never dreamed I would be talking to my future self but I am. I discovered recently zeal seems to have vanished from my life. I long for a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit that kindles a white light experience that energizes and motivates me to get out there and be of good service wherever my peculiar charisms are needed. I understand now good zeal is just like any other gift of the spirit. Each and every gift we ever receive comes through the power of grace flowing in and out of us with the breath of the Holy Spirit sent to us by our creator and savior.
Good zeal is a grace to ask for in prayer and then to build through service. I will begin to ask for zeal and to just do the good work asked of me. I want to be confident that in asking I will receive the bright light I crave but it is as likely God will choose to enter into my struggle that I might learn what lessons I need to learn simply as a matter of exercise of faith and a response to my baptismal vows of obligation and gratitude.
God, grant me the desire to always seek good zeal.
