THE P RTAL
February 2015
Page 23
St Benedict’s Rule
and the Ordinariate
What does the Rule of St Benedict have to say to Ordinariate Missions?
Donato Tello draws some important points.
I
f we
truly want to be a “mission” let us make hospitality a central part of our lives. If Ordinariate
groups throughout the country are genuinely striving to be “missions” then perhaps all of us can take some
inspiration from St Benedict who has a great deal to teach us about hospitality and fellowship.
Hospitality and fellowship are certainly two of the
central themes of any effective mission or community
that is seeking to live the Christian message.
It is important for all of us to be part of strong
communities and by this I mean communities that are
founded on love and compassion where people seek to
help each other, to be kind to one another and support
one another.
Sadly, many of us fall short of this and perhaps the
teachings of St Benedict can direct our hearts and
minds to the true meaning of community life where
guests and those around us are seen in the image of
Christ (RB 53)
uncharitable actions
All Ordinariate groups and the movement as a whole
should seek to be inclusive and not exclusive and
provide a welcoming reception for those around us.
Both within and outside our communities we should
seek to be as hospitable as we can be.
outside, especially those who are poor or needy at the
heart of what they do. And perhaps all of us could seek
St Benedict states in his rule that inspiration should to be more hospitable in all that we do in our thoughts,
be taken from St John’s Gospel which teaches us that in our words and in our deeds.
we as humans were not sent to do our own will but the
becoming closer to Christ
will of the one who sent us (John 6:38).
Through simple actions such as our expressions,
Perhaps all of us could ask ourselves how often we giving a little of our time, offering practice help and
have been unwelcoming or uncharitable in our actions, support or sharing a meal, prayer and fellowship with
words or mannerisms.
those around us (be they religious or not) all of us can
become closer to Christ in our daily lives.
St Benedict goes on to state in his rule that the
greatest care and love should be shown to the poor and
Let us not forget the words of Matthew’s Gospel:
needy because it is in them that Christ is truly received
(RB 36).
“For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave
welcoming and compassionate
me something to drink, I was a stranger
Perhaps all of us could seek to be more welcoming
and you invited me in, I was naked and you
to strangers and more compassionate to those in
clothed me, I was sick and you looked after
need. Perhaps individual groups could seek to give
me, I was in prison and you visited me”
hospitality to those within the groups, and those
Matthew 23:35
contents page