Happy 7-11
Jolie read online today that 7-11 was giving away free slurpees in a commemorative cup to celebrate their 79th birthday. Gleefully, we drove the block to "get ours." Alas, most of the flavors were out of order, and the "cup" was made of paper and 7.11 ounces in volume (not much, in other words). Nevertheless, the five free mouthfuls were appreciated.
In a bit of a contrast, however, today also marks the feast day of Saint Benedict of Nursia. With a bit more staying power than a slurpee, we can claim a great deal from the legacy and vision of this humble lay person. When I place my cup under his Rule, I regularly find wisdom and inspiration that resonates backwards towards the Scriptures and forwards to my own desires for Spirit-breathed community.
I often hear Protestant-descended Evangelicals easily brushing Benedict off, saying that he was an unfortunate, well-intentioned Catholic with a pitiful fear of hell and a zealous desire to earn his salvation. To this I can't help but wander how glibly "Evangelicalism" or even Protestantism will be dismissed 1500 years from now by Christians in a completely different context. Further, I can't help but see a bit of inconsistency here, too. Benedict's blueprint for monasticism had all the ingredients for "reformation," without the ugliness of the "protestation!" Here was a man, driven by any number of complex motivations that can neither negate or explain him entirely, who was able to articulate a concrete way to live faithfully to the way laid out by Jesus Himself in an era that was particularly known for it's lack of articulation and coherence. The historical fact that thousands of people continue to align themselves with his Rule not only magnifies the brilliance of his articulation, but more sadly, the continued lack of coherence and concreteness present within Christendom. Why do we continue to waste away about "how to do church" and "go to the nations" when we still have such a half-assed formulation of practical Christian living? That's the kind of question that drove Benedict to draft his form of monasticism, and in his honor, that's the kind of question that drives me on the highway that he did much to pave.
I raise my 7.11 ounce cup to you, Benedict of Nursia.
And I also give an e-shout out to Anthony, a newly consecrated Benedictine. Pray and work, brother A.
Pax.
In a bit of a contrast, however, today also marks the feast day of Saint Benedict of Nursia. With a bit more staying power than a slurpee, we can claim a great deal from the legacy and vision of this humble lay person. When I place my cup under his Rule, I regularly find wisdom and inspiration that resonates backwards towards the Scriptures and forwards to my own desires for Spirit-breathed community.
I often hear Protestant-descended Evangelicals easily brushing Benedict off, saying that he was an unfortunate, well-intentioned Catholic with a pitiful fear of hell and a zealous desire to earn his salvation. To this I can't help but wander how glibly "Evangelicalism" or even Protestantism will be dismissed 1500 years from now by Christians in a completely different context. Further, I can't help but see a bit of inconsistency here, too. Benedict's blueprint for monasticism had all the ingredients for "reformation," without the ugliness of the "protestation!" Here was a man, driven by any number of complex motivations that can neither negate or explain him entirely, who was able to articulate a concrete way to live faithfully to the way laid out by Jesus Himself in an era that was particularly known for it's lack of articulation and coherence. The historical fact that thousands of people continue to align themselves with his Rule not only magnifies the brilliance of his articulation, but more sadly, the continued lack of coherence and concreteness present within Christendom. Why do we continue to waste away about "how to do church" and "go to the nations" when we still have such a half-assed formulation of practical Christian living? That's the kind of question that drove Benedict to draft his form of monasticism, and in his honor, that's the kind of question that drives me on the highway that he did much to pave.
I raise my 7.11 ounce cup to you, Benedict of Nursia.
And I also give an e-shout out to Anthony, a newly consecrated Benedictine. Pray and work, brother A.
Pax.
