This week the readings out of Callings were the Rule of Benedict and The Flowing Light of the Godhead. The reading the Rule of Benedict was written by Benedict of Nursia. He had a plan to live in a cave to become a solitary hermit. However he attracted a following of monks around him. He then founded another monastery at Monte Cassino. In time he wrote a document that outlined the rules and duties of monks and was used widely in other Benedictine monasteries and other monasteries and convents. In this work it tells us that the type of Christians we should be the one who prays or the monastic life. The other work, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, is by a woman by the name of Mechthild. She is one of the great mystics of Medieval Germany who eventually joined a Beguine community. Her confessor urged her to write down her visions in a book. The writings talk about how to follow God and St. Dominic. It also answers the question of what type of Christian should we be in that we should be the ones who pray and the monastic life. Both works say that the Benedictine order is the one that should be valued more.
Benedict says that there is one reason for establishing the community of monks. He says that you have to be obedient and servant to our Lord Jesus Christ. One rule that describes the moderation of the Benedictines talks about ownership. It says that the only possessions a monk is allowed to own is what the abbot gives him. They are not to take or receive anything from anyone beside the abbot. One aspect that seems rather harsh talks about the idea of obedience. It calls for complete and utter obedience to the bible and the abbot. Without this compliance the monk is not serving God in the right manner. Also they must do all their service with a cheerful manner otherwise it is not right and proper in the eyes of God. "'I shall mention two more things. Whenever Dominic laughed, he did so with true delight of the Holy Spirit. But when he wept, he wept with such sincerity that first and foremost among his desires he always put his brethren before my eyes and, in addition, with all his strength, Holy Christianity.'"
The quote mentioned before is from The Flowing Light of the Godhead. It is talking about St. Dominic and how he laughed and cried fully for Christ and his faith. This has given me insight into my project in the area of how to laugh and cry with the young adults I work with. I need to be very true to this internship to truly get into the program and get the most out of it. It also tells me that everything I do needs to be completely sincere and in a Christian manner. Finally looking at the rules of my internship there are many. There are rules regarding child safety which seem annoying and obnoxious but I believe they are completely necessary. The place I am working I have not run into a rule that is wrong or overbearing in my mind. The rules they have set down are good and proper.
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