The Monastic Approach

Toward the end of the Rule of St Benedict, there is a short chapter that can easily go unnoticed, but which is a perfect application of the Gospel: Assignment of impossible tasks to a brother (RB 68). Benedict knew well that if we want to follow the Gospel, sooner or later, we will be confronted with the fact that we are asked to do something that feels impossible to us. Do you what to know if you are really following Jesus and not a decaffeinated version of his message? You can ask yourself this question: does being faithful to your Christian calling feel impossible at times? If your answer is “yes,” you are on the right track because this is how it should feel—Peter trying to walk on water is a good example. St Bernard puts it very simply, As long as a man is without experience in the spiritual combat, he thinks that what is asked of him is easy ( Sermons on Conversion 8). What then? Are we called to be Christian superheroes? No, the path of the Gospel is for those who recogni...

Jesus told a parable about humility when invited to a banquet, he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor at the table (Lk 14:1, 7-14). At the parable's end, Jesus shows us how well he knows our human nature when he points out the words that each of us longs to hear: “My friend, move up to a higher position.” Christian humility is not about hiding our talents or denying our need for the love and respect of others. True humility is a path of self-knowledge and simplicity that sets us free, as St. Paul puts it, “It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself” (1 Cor. 4:1-5). In the Gospels, Jesus often presents the Kingdom as a banquet, a grand celebration. A clear message in these parables is that we don’t have to compete with each other because at this table all are fed. According to the monastic approach, the path that leads to the feast begins as we leave our pride behind and move forward in the ...