Seeking God
Life at St. Benedict's Farm can be described in two
words: Seeking God. To screen new applicants, St. Benedict
asks: Do they truly seek God? The criteria? Would-be members
must be zealous a) for obedience, b) for humiliations, and c)
for the work of God? The essence of monastic life is to give
oneself away... just like those first Christian converts,
none of whom "ever claimed anything as his own; rather
everything was held in common." (Acts4:32) "A monk is not even
permitted to own his own body," writes Benedict. The first and most important word in the
Rule of St. Benedict! It means listen carefully... "with the ear
of the heart." We strive to look and listen for God's word in
every circumstance. Then, to follow it, for "By the labor of
obedience, we return to God." In the first few words of the
Rule, we read: "To you, therefore, my words are addressed,
whoever you may be, who are renouncing your own will to do battle
under the Lord Christ, the true King." Our guide through this battle,
the Benedictine motto: Ora et Labora, Pray and work. We
will do this faithfully if we but follow the Scripture: "Whether
you eat or whether you drink or whatsoever else you do, do all
for the glory of God." You can explore our spirituality further by getting
acquainted with the Master himself,
St. Benedict,
by exploring
The Rule,
his jewel of religious instruction. Further, by investigating
The Vows
we take, and finally by accessing
Scripture & The Fathers, our two
"pillars of formation."
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