Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
None of us goes to God individually. I may have a personal desire for holiness and virtues. But these are refined through my relationships.
Wherever two or more are gathered, there must be agreed-upon rules for the relationships. What is acceptable behavior? What are common values among those in the group, and how should they be expressed? If knowing God, loving God, and serving God are personal goals, how can my relationships help me and others progress toward those goals?
Moses was entrusted to help the Israelites become a holy people. God gave Moses 10 commandments to guide this small community. By the time of Jesus, this list grew to 613 Jewish laws. He summarized the Law (and the prophets) for his disciples in the two-fold commandment of love of God (which engages the whole person) and love of neighbor. St. Paul took this to the Gentiles as he founded new Christian communities that were unfamiliar with the Jewish history.
Closer to home, St. Benedict wrote a Rule for shepherding his monks toward God based on Scripture and experience. When Abbot Frowin Conrad arrived in Missouri 150 years ago, he adapted the observance of the Rule for the conditions faced by his new monastery.
G. K. Chesterton provided a lovely image for the purpose of rules: “The more I considered Christianity, the more I found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild.” (from Orthodoxy).
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections