The Rule of St. Benedict promised to be such an easy read. In comparison to Herodotus, this tiny little book seemed so small. Oh, it decieved me. How could such an innocent-looking book challenge my culture on almost all fronts? It didn’t look at my culture and say, “What do you think you’re doing? Shape up!” No, it just described a way of life that many in American society would never consider. What stuck out to me the most was the view of discipline that Benedict wanted to instill in the monks. In its nice, monk-like fashion, this book made me consider what discipline is and why it is important.
Monasticism was not for wimps. It was not for the weak, the coward, or the unmotivated. Monks of St. Benedict’s rule entered into the monastery with intent on someday becoming so spiritually mature that they could persue an anchorite lifestyle, that of the hermit. While perhaps the goal was not biblical, the understanding that spiritual maturity comes through discipline was monumental, and a lesson that many Christians today could appreciate.
Their discipline took the form of abstinence and labor. except for the exceptions (the weak and sick) the monks fasted very often. When they did eat, they ate bread and water, with some vegetables. They also abstained from marrying. They abstained from all private property. Everything they had was monastery property.
Benedict’s motto was ora et labora, pray and work. Their work included the necessary upkeep of the campus and also the raising of all their food. If any was lacking in discipline or work ethic, it was possible that the whole monastery would feel the weight of their action. Work was a very necessary part of life. Benedict said that no man who does not work physically will ever become spiritually mature.
Benedict’s schedule for the monks also included time to study the Word. If a monk would not study, he was given some sort of labor to keep him busy. Until a few summers ago, I did not understand how true it was that physical labor makes for spiritual discipline. When I had all the time in the world, it was easy to think of studying God’s Word as something I can do anytime. Often, I did not do it as much as time afforded. Then I started the internship for my church. Studying the Word is much more satisfying when all that had been available to me all day is cleaning, making hay, and more cleaning. As I sometimes sleepily struggled to keep my eyes on the pages, I felt as if I had pleased God more than if I had read the Bible all day. There is a place for both study and work, and having them in covenant community is a blessing.
Was Benedict too harsh? Maybe on some things. But he helped me to understand the meaning of all discipline: to glorify God.
