Authority is a huge issue. That it is called a Rule is an
instant turn-off to anyone that resists submitting to authority; especially the
authority vested in the Church [Matthew 16:18-19].
Modernites, with a bent
toward independence, easily dismiss The Rule before giving it so much as a
casual reading, often using the argument that rules are just legalism and Christ
came to set us free from legalism.
Personally, I discover a lot of encouragement in the way
The Rule definitively defines what is and what is not Christian behavior; in
how it challenges me to keep pressing forward and upward in my own process of
growing in grace. Spiritual tepidity, luke-warmness [Revelation 3:15-18], is
difficult to find comfort in when The Rule is fuel for the Holy Spirit to use
to inflame us with fervency.
Saint Benedict’s approach to living the Christian life is
thoroughly rooted in Scripture; thoroughly rooted in the tried and proven
principles of monastic expression that originated with the first Desert Hermits
and developed into communities of monks living together in monasteries. Benedict’s
little rule for beginners, a document one-third the length of the Regula
Magistri [The Rule of the Master], yet very much resembling the content of The
Rule of the Master, is remarkable in the fact that our personal process of conversatio
morum [conversion of life] never exceeds the dimensions and perimeters
constructed by this little rule.
Monasticism was already flourishing in the East. Nothing
included in The Rule of Saint Benedict was new information. Benedict did not
have a vision or dream up a little book of rules to put his name on. He used
what was already available to him, reduced it to something succinct and simple,
adhered to it in his personal life, insisted upon it in his monasteries, and
became known as the Father of Monasticism in the West. It is this same little
rule for beginners that we [Benedictine monks, religious sisters, and
Oblates of Saint Benedict] use to structure our lives.
It is hard to beat a good, thorough, and conservative
examination of conscience.[1]
Without one it is entirely too easy to insist that we have faith without
also having an adherence to the historic morals that are inherent within
the faith. Benedict’s little chapter on The Tools Of Good Works leads us
to honestly examine ourselves in light of the revealed moral expectations of
God. These tools are especially effective when combined with a good detailed
examination of conscience.
(1) In the first place to love the Lord God with the
whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength...
(2) Then, one's neighbor as one's self (cf Mt 22:37-39;
Mk 12:30-31; Lk 10:27).
Do I really love the Lord God with my whole heart, my
whole soul, and my whole strength? Do I truly love my neighbor as myself? No.
In all honesty, no, I do not. Dare any of us say that we do? Steer clear of
anyone that says they do. They have already deceived themselves and will, given
the opportunity, deceive you.
I do desire to love God with every ounce of my being and
to love my neighbor as deeply as I love myself … despite the cost to myself. It
is this honesty, coupled with this desire, that keeps me continually
consecrating myself afresh to the journey of learning to love the Lord God and
my neighbor as I should. Until I do arrive at a whole heart, whole soul, and
whole strength love of God, I will continue to be subject to the lust of the
flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life mentioned by the Apostle
John in his short epistle. [1 John 2:15-16]
(3) Then, not to kill...
Have I... Unjustly and intentionally killed a human
being? Been involved in an abortion, directly or indirectly (through advice,
etc.)? Seriously considered or attempted suicide? Supported, promoted or
encouraged the practice of assisted suicide or mercy killing? Deliberately
desired to kill an innocent human being? Unjustly inflicted bodily harm on
another person? Unjustly threatened another person with bodily harm? Verbally
or emotionally abused another person? Hated another person, or wished him evil?
Been prejudiced, or unjustly discriminated against others because of their
race, color, nationality, sex or religion? Joined a hate group? Purposely
provoked another by teasing or nagging? Recklessly endangered my life or
health, or that of another, by my actions? Driven recklessly or under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs? Abused alcohol or other drugs? Sold or
given drugs to others to use for non-therapeutic purposes? Used tobacco
immoderately? Over-eaten? Encouraged others to sin by giving scandal? Helped
another to commit a mortal sin (through advice, driving them somewhere, etc.?
Caused serious injury or death by criminal neglect? Indulged in serious anger?
Refused to control my temper? Been mean to, quarreled with, or willfully hurt
someone? Been unforgiving to others, when mercy or pardon was requested? Sought
revenge or hoped something bad would happen to someone? Delighted to see
someone else get hurt or suffer? Treated animals cruelly, causing them to
suffer or die needlessly?[2]
(4) Not to commit adultery...
Have I... Practiced the virtue of chastity? Given in
to lust? (The desire for sexual pleasure unrelated to spousal love in
marriage.) Used an artificial means of birth control? Refused to be open to
conception, without just cause? (Catechism, 2368) Participated in immoral
techniques for in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination? Sterilized my
sex organs for contraceptive purposes? Deprived my spouse of the marital right,
without just cause? Claimed my own marital right without concern for my spouse?
Deliberately caused male climax outside of normal sexual intercourse?
(Catechism, 2366) Willfully entertained impure thoughts? Purchased, viewed, or
made use of pornography? Watched movies and television that involve sex and
nudity? Listened to music or jokes that are harmful to purity? Committed
adultery? (Sexual relations with someone who is married, or with someone other
than my spouse.) Committed incest? (Sexual relations with a relative or in-law.)
Committed fornication? (Sexual relations with someone of the opposite sex when
neither of us is married.) Engaged in homosexual activity? (Sexual activity
with someone of the same sex.) Committed rape? Masturbated? (Deliberate
stimulation of one's own sexual organs for sexual pleasure.) Engaged in sexual
foreplay (petting) reserved for marriage? Preyed upon children or youth for my
sexual pleasure? Engaged in unnatural sexual activities? Engaged in
prostitution, or paid for the services of a prostitute? Seduced someone, or
allowed myself to be seduced? Made uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances
toward another? Purposely dressed immodestly?[3]
(5) Not to steal...
(6) Not to covet (cf Rom 13:9).
Have I... Stolen? (Take something that doesn't belong to
me against the reasonable will of the owner.) Envied others on account of their
possessions? Tried to live in a spirit of Gospel poverty and simplicity? Given
generously to others in need? Considered that God has provided me with money so
that I might use it to benefit others, as well as for my own legitimate needs?
Freed myself from a consumer mentality? Practiced the works of mercy?
Deliberately defaced, destroyed or lost another's property? Cheated on a test,
taxes, sports, games, or in business? Squandered money in compulsive gambling?
Make a false claim to an insurance company? Paid my employees a living wage, or
failed to give a full day's work for a full day's pay? Failed to honor my part
of a contract? Failed to make good on a debt? Overcharge someone, especially to
take advantage of another's hardship or ignorance? Misused natural resources?[4]
(7) Not to bear false witness (cf Mt 19:18; Mk 10:19; Lk
18:20).
Have I... Lied? Knowingly and willfully deceived
another? Perjured myself under oath? Gossiped? Committed detraction?
(Destroying a person's reputation by telling others about his faults for no
good reason.) Committed slander or calumny? (Telling lies about another person
in order to destroy his reputation.) Committed libel? (Writing lies about
another person in order to destroy his reputation.) Been guilty of rash
judgment? (Assuming the worst of another person based on circumstantial
evidence.) Failed to make reparation for a lie I told, or for harm done to a
person's reputation? Failed to speak out in defense of the Catholic Faith, the
Church, or of another person? Betrayed another's confidence through speech?[5]
(8) To honor all men (cf 1 Pt 2:17).
(9) And what one would not have done to himself, not to
do to another (cf Tob 4:16; Mt 7:12; Lk 6:31).
The simple truth of the matter is that I cannot possibly
image or reflect the light and love of Christ as long as I am disrespecting or
defaming another; whether the disrespect and defamation is overt or done [even
more insidiously] within the cloister of my heart. “I give you a new
commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also
should love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if
you have love for one another.” [John 13-34-35]
Herein [love] is the litmus test of our Christianity …
that we love without discrimination, partiality, or self-imposed comfortable limits.
[1] A
plain and sad reality is that you will likely not find a good detailed
Examination of Conscience on the back table or in the foyer in modern Catholic
churches. Numerous are available online
for download as pdf files.
[2]
Questions in italics provided by a Detailed Examination of Conscience
that explores both the literal and the implied contained in the various
Commandments that support the Great Commandments emphasized by Jesus in Matthew
22:34-40.
[3]
Ibid.
[4]
Ibid.
[5]
Ibid.
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