|
 |
The monks, and under the guidance of his sister Scholastica, the nuns, were encouraged in their community life by a 'Rule' which Benedict wrote. Much of the Rule is about the pragmatic details of living together in community, but it is peppered with spiritual gems and deep insight into the way of Christ. Central to Benedict's teaching is obedience to Christ on the grounds that the greatest test of love is not emotion but obedience. We are to turn away from our own will and ask God in prayer that his will be done in us. This is the heart of obedience. In the Rule, Benedict stresses the importance of seeing Christ in everyone. If we treat each other as Christ, we would be saved from all the disparaging ways we can treat each other and the sins against each other which include gossiping, anger, taking people for granted, making undue demands on them. Benedict says that in each person Christ must be received and worshipped.
The Christian life is maintained and undergirded by Prayer which, for Benedict is the true work of God. So he devised 7 offices of prayer to be said throughout each day. This work of God is undertaken with deep love for Jesus Christ. The prayer is the heartbeat of the Church which we key into.
When the Reformation took place in England and the monasteries were dissolved, Thomas Cranmer, the author of the first English Prayer Book in 1549 (from which our Book of Common Prayer and our modern Common Worship are derived), ensured that the Benedictine spirituality of prayer was maintained. Out of the 7 offices of prayer he produced Morning and Evening Prayer (Mattins and Evensong) to which has been added Night Prayer or Compline. These keep the essential characteristics of Psalms (the Prayer Book of Jesus himself). Scripture read in a particular order, Bible canticles and prayers.
The 7 times a day was reduced to 2 for ordinary Christian use. It is recognisably Benedictine and most of all it is a structure or framework which ensures a daily rhythm of Prayer in which we can all share. It is essentially the Prayer of the Chruch. At St John's we have now restored Morning Prayer as a daily (Monday to Friday) action of praying. Even if you are unable to attend, you can know it is taking place on your behalf but equally it is a rooting of our Christian life and witness in Epping with that of the whole Church. Because of Benedict and his spiritual influence the pulse of prayer beats throughout the world unceasingly, and so embraces our world with Christ's love. We have much to thank Benedict for, but I guess he would say that true thanksgiving is to be with Christ in his universal praying. This is a real sharing in our Lord's Kingdom work.
[Top]