Novice Life Practices Benedictine Basics Patience
ACTIVITY FOCUS: To nurture the spiritual practice of reverence
In this Novice Activity S. Bridgett, OSB-F shares ways that reverence can be a part of your spiritual practice and a foundation for your life.
S. Bridgett, OSB-F here. I welcome you to this Novice Activity that pairs with the Instruction entitled “Reverence in the Rule of Saint Benedict.
In his article Fr. Michael Peterson, OSB explains that St. Benedict presents reverence not as “a feeling or an idea to ponder but “as a way of seeing and acting in the world.”
I invite you to access the Novice/Friend Instruction to read his thoughtful words about reverence in the Rule if you have not done so already. Then, please return here to learn ways to bring these ideas to life.
To reach the Instruction, tap your paw here.
Megan Louise mews,
"I purr when I look on the world
with reverence."
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS
Fr. Michael explores reverence in five different areas.
Reverence Begins with Awareness
Reverence for What We Use
Reverence for Others
Reverence is Chosen
Reverence Brings Awareness of God’s Presence
Please read through the Activity. Then choose one area to focus on. Go through them all over time. I begin each area with a quote from Fr. Michael’s article. Ready?
Worldwide Novice Mandu loves to eat. He promises to take a moment to reverence and give thanks for his meal before he begins.
Reverence Begins with Awareness
“Benedict’s understanding of reverence begins
where all genuine spirituality begins,
with the awareness that God is present.”
Remembering that God is present in everything as Benedict said In Chapter 19, takes intention and practice. Here are a few ways to begin.
Decide on one hour of your day, any hour except nap time, to look and listen for God. Look for what God is doing. Be grateful.
Acknowledge God’s Presence right now. What do you see at this very moment when you look up from your screen? Whatever you see is an object and an opportunity to see and listen with reverence.
Got a task ahead of you that you don’t like? Pray to do whatever must be done with reverence in your heart. Ask God's help in this. Then let God help you through the task.
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Worldwide Novice Princess mews that she will look on her human with reverence even when he won't let her go outside.
Reverence for What We Use
“A chalice and a coffee cup both ask for the same interior stance.
Whatever is placed in our hands is holy.”
What do you use each day as you work, volunteer, relax, or do chores at home? Computer? Smartphone? Pen or pencil? Vacuum? Lawnmower? Dishes? A wrench or a car?
We can take these tools for granted. In St. Benedict’s Toolbox Amma wrote, “Consider the real wonder of our tools: they enable us to bear fruit as branches on the vine that is Christ" (John 15:2). 206.
God works through us as we use these tools; even as we drink a cup of coffee, or read a book, or watch the birds. How awesome is that!
So treat what you use with reverence! Whatever it is can channel God’s blessing to others - near and far, human, animal, or plant.
Worldwide Novice Starla will practice looking on the little birds she sees outside with reverence. "They really are so sweet," Starla mews.
Reverence for Others
“In Benedict’s world, things are not disposable,
and neither are people.”
Benedict encourages us to “support with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior.” (RB 72.5) Fr. Michael offers a super way to do this.
“…treat one another not as obstacles but as companions on the pilgrimage to God.”
Pause for a moment and name who you treat as obstacles.
How might you reframe your thoughts about and interactions with them?
How might you open the door of your heart to companionship?
Our approach to others as well as to things reveals the state of our hearts. We need to become aware of how we interact with both. Then make any course correction through the path of reverence.
Treat others, animal, and plant, with reverence.
Worldwide Novice Yuri practices reverence and attentiveness during the Divine Office. He purrs, "That's where God really is for me!"
Reverence is Chosen
Reverence is not sentimental. It is chosen.
Benedict asks us to choose reverence at all times and in all places. To help us along, he gives us examples that are easily transferred from the sixth century monastery to today. Here are just a few.
“Your way of acting should be different from the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else.” RB 4.20-21
“If anyone happens to make an unreasonable demand, the cellarer [i.e., you and me] should not reject that person with disdain and cause distress, but reasonably and humbly deny the improper request.” RB 31.7
“Whoever fails to keep the things belonging to the monastery clean or treats them carelessly should be reproved.” RB 32.4
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, who said: I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35). RB 53.1
Worldwide Novice Dustmop loves seeing people in his neighborhood and reverences everyone he meets with big purrs.
Reverence Brings Awareness of God’s Presence
“Benedict teaches that the ordinary is the doorway to encounter.
The task is to be present enough to notice.”
When we reverence what we do, the things we touch, the people and animals we are with, the plants and trees outside, we become more and more aware of God Who Permeates All.
As you practice reverence watch for how God makes God’s self known to you. You may feel a sense of rightness or of peace. You might find a response of joy or of appreciation and gratitude.
God is in everything, so “everything becomes a place where God may be met.”
“What is more delightful than this voice of the Holy One calling to us?
See how God's love shows us the way of life.”
Prologue 19-20