{"id":3078,"date":"2023-08-09T05:28:42","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T05:28:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/turveyabbey.org.uk\/blog\/?p=3078"},"modified":"2023-08-09T05:28:42","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T05:28:42","slug":"preferring-nothing-to-christ-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/turveyabbey.org.uk\/blog\/?p=3078","title":{"rendered":"Preferring Nothing to Christ (5)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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‘Clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see him who has called us to his kingdom.<\/strong>‘ (Rule of St Benedict, Prologue)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Benedict rouses us to action in his Prologue with a call that is almost impossible to ignore. Every Christian is called to live the values of the Gospel. Every Christian is called to find in the stories of Christ and his teachings the inspiration to live as Christ lived. So, what is specific about living the Gospel in monastic life? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life in the monastery gives our hearing of the Gospel a particular focus. There are texts that stand out and have particular depth because of the way we live. Texts that talk about love, community and dying to self can remind the monastic of the essential values in Benedictine Life. Over the years you come to know some of the texts by heart and this is, in turn, deepens your response. I have found that daily engagement with Scripture, combined with periods of silence, holds me to account in a very particular way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we speak of being guided by the Gospel we are speaking fundamentally about good news. We are speaking about a series of events that have changed the world forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St Paul gives us a short and clear explanation of what that good news actually is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well then, in the first place, I taught you what I had been taught myself, namely that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures: that he was buried: and that he was raised to life on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures; that he appeared first to Cephas and second to the Twelve.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Corinthians 15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we really believe this message, then we will set out on a path that leads us towards Christ. Our hope is that day by day we will become more like Christ. Christ is our model for our daily living. The text of the Beatitudes is often quoted and often people puzzle over just what it means. All of the values of the Beatitudes are modelled for us in Christ. It has been said that the Beatitudes are not so much a spirituality but a \u2018geography\u2019: they tell us \u2018where to stand\u2019. We stand with the \u2018poor in spirit\u2019, we stand with the \u2018gentle\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth as inheritance.
Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognised as children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.<\/strong>
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we speak of Gospel values, in any walk of life, we have specific things in mind. Our baptismal call invites us to a life that holds these values as central. Every Christian is called to walk a beatitudinal path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where are you most aware of the values of the Beatitudes in your own life?
Where do you see these values in others?
Where do you see these values in yourself?
Are there particular Biblical texts that rouse you to action? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

‘Clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see him who has called us to his kingdom.‘ (Rule of St Benedict, Prologue) St Benedict rouses us to action in his Prologue with a call that … <\/p>\n

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