Blossom like the Lily

July 11, 2008
Memorial of St. Benedict, abbot



I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. Hosea 14:6-8


…Whoever endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22

Piety

Let us pray to God most earnestly to bring our humble works of piety, study and action to perfection. As we learn in St. Benedict’s Rule, “In God’s goodness, we are already counted as God’s own.” We ask the Lord to spare us of our sins and strengthen our obedience at all times through prayer and work. In thanksgiving, we offer thanks and praise for the inspiration and intercession of Benedictine servants like the monks Belmont Abbey who offer us holy hospitality on our journey and guide us in our spiritual formation. With this foundation, we set out for the loftier summits of the teaching and virtues of life. For only under God’s protection will we reach them. Amen.

(Based upon the Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue and Chapter 73:8-9, This Rule Only a Beginning of Perfection)


Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/071108.shtml


“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin: even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29



The lily symbolizes new life…the kind of new life that Hosea celebrates. With the Lord providing life-giving water, the blossoming lily in all its fragility as well as the tall cedar of Lebanon in all its strength are fortified, fragrant, and full of beauty.


Today marks the memorial of St. Benedict, founder of the Order of St. Benedict and writer of the Rule for monastic life. Benedict founded his order at the Abbey of Montecassino more than 1470 years ago.



The Benedictines have blossomed like the lily, spreading throughout the world and founding monasteries, colleges, hospitals, churches and more with their life rooted in the twin pillars of prayer and work (ora et labora). Pope Paul VI declared St. Benedict the main Patron of Europe when the Pope visited Montecassino on October 24, 1964. Pope Paul called Benedict “Messenger of Peace, Unifier, Master of Civilization and in particular Herald of Faith and Iniziator of monastic life in Western Europe.” (Papal Brief - Pacis Nuntius).

By making him Europe's patron Pope Paul VI stressed his great merits in the process of civilizing and forming spiritual face of our continent. After all it was him and his collaborators that contributed to the development of mediaeval education, various sciences, crafts and arts in Europe. The mediaeval followers of St Benedict taught our ancestors how to cultivate soil, raise cattle, build roads and bridges, houses and churches, and moreover, they taught them medicine, geography, mathematics, astronomy and many other disciplines. (From “To Save Europe’s Soul” by Fr. Adam Lach.)

The Benedictines enduring history from the seeds planted in Europe more than 14 centuries ago continues to grow throughout the world. Their witness and work inspires individuals and families to center their lives around prayer, hospitality, and love in order to pursue perfection.

Action

In honor of St. Benedict, offer your prayer and work today for your special intentions. Pray also for all those aspiring to monstic life among the Benedictine men and women throughout the world including our Cusillo friend Mary Clark.

Take some time to read the Rule of St. Benedict for today. (Scroll down to July 11 for the daily reading from the Rule which will be read today in every Benedictine monastery from Montecassino to Belmont Abbey, NC and Bristow, VA.