Benjamin (Bennie)- My Promise for 2025
What prevents me from preferring nothing whatever to Christ?
I don’t like being chased by the dog. This really annoys me and upsets my day, my studies of the Rule and my ability to concentrate in prayer. It makes me grumble.
Practices from the Rule to help me craft my promise:
“If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim (Ps 34: 14-15).” Prologue 14-17
“In the monastery every occasion for presumption is to be avoided, and so we decree that no one has the authority to excommunicate [discipline] or strike any member of the community…After all, it is written: Never do to another what you do not want done to yourself (Tob 4:16).” RB 70.1-2, 7
“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
My 2025 Promise:
Admitting that I might bring on the chasing, I will not try to get really close to the dog. Maybe this upsets him just like his chasing upsets me. I can do my best to follow Christ and be a peacemaker. I promise also to share with the dog that striking (chasing) another member is against the Rule. That’s preferring Christ!
What my human needs to learn to help her prefer nothing whatever to Christ:
How to slow down and appreciate her felines.
Practices from the Rule to help my human craft her promise:
“Idleness [overwork here] is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the community members should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading…But after Sext and their meal, they may rest on their beds in complete silence.” RB 48.1, 2, 5a
“Yet, all things are to be done with moderation on account of the fainthearted.” RB 48.9
“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
My Human’s 2025 Promise:
Bennie asks you to join him and craft your own 2025 Promise.