| Book of wisdom and thought; exemplary study | | | | writings, but first this description of the book from |
| The godliness of living a Gospel life when it comes to | | | | the preface by Father Kardong says he has |
| The Rule of St. Benedict, the nature of the author's | | | | produced "...a double-deck commentary with detailed |
| intentions and set of mind, the understandings of The | | | | philological material in notes and discursive material in |
| Rule itself, are a few of the rewards one gets from | | | | the overviews." This is his interpretation of the Rule. |
| Terrence G. Kardong's, "Benedict's Rule: A Translation | | | | He notes that much is experiential. For me, this added |
| and Commentary." One thesis of Father Kardong's is, | | | | merit to the book. His commentary is part of his life |
| "...the Rule teaches a dynamic spirituality." A book for | | | | experience and work. An attribute that adds to the |
| those interested in living a Gospel life, some areas | | | | authenticity and authority of, "The Rule: A Translation |
| touched upon by this book include, "progress and | | | | and Commentary." |
| growth" in the religious and spiritual life, what's | | | | The famous words of the Rule begin, "Listen, O my |
| referred to as ongoing conversion in the life of faith, | | | | son, to the teachings of your master, and turn to |
| and humility. | | | | them with the ear of your heart." After all, the Rule |
| The book suggests looking towards continued | | | | is a religious book, and religion is for the heart. These |
| reading of "...the teaching of the Bible and Fathers." | | | | words for the heart have been around 1,500 years. |
| This last a recommendation of the Rule, and the | | | | What is meant by these few words of the Rule is |
| book "Benedict's Rule" an endorsement and | | | | made commentary in another quotation: "Let us open |
| recommendation of St. Benedict's little book for | | | | our eyes...is a possible allusion to the Transfiguration, |
| beginners. | | | | where the drowsy disciples are startled by the |
| A reader interested in St. Benedict's Rule will find this | | | | shining forth of Christ, and instructed by the voice |
| 600 plus page work, published by The Liturgical Press | | | | from heaven (Luke 9:32)." |
| a scholarly work. It can be used as a text for | | | | At a preached retreat in Big Sur, California USA, at |
| reading, as in study, or as a reference work (so I | | | | Immaculate Heart Hermitage, Brother Bede explained |
| think). The book speaks of St. Benedict's sense of | | | | that the Rule is a holy book, an illuminated work that |
| moderation, and his humility, an earmark of the book | | | | keeps on giving, like the Bible. I remembered his |
| about the Rule itself, and a hallmark of the author | | | | instruction when approaching "Benedict's Rule" and |
| who is a monk and priest. | | | | considered that the writer Father Kardong also |
| Father Kardong writes at the very beginning of the | | | | approached it as such. This itself is an important |
| book in a dedication that the work is, "To my | | | | point, for the work presented is exemplary. |
| brothers of Assumption Abbey who taught me how | | | | In his commentary on the last part of the Rule, he |
| to be a monk and who freed me for the work of | | | | writes, "...that observance of the Rule [Biblical theme |
| writing this commentary on the Rule of Benedict." | | | | of the Rule] itself is not enough; the Rule, like the |
| This is a book for monks in the monastery, and also | | | | Law, is to be `fulfilled.'" Though many believe the Rule |
| for lay people and Oblates of St. Benedict. This is a | | | | is a way to perfection, and asks for that perfection, |
| book for church goers. This is a book for people who | | | | a serious consideration is that the Rule is also a book |
| practice the work of God, the daily office. | | | | of love. Kardong believes it is mainly a book about |
| One needs to have patience and perseverance to | | | | love. |
| read it. One needs to take this book as it comes, not | | | | A major theme of the last chapter, love is described |
| hurry it along, and in many places reread both the | | | | in the commentary: "...for the love that is preached in |
| Rule as translated by Father Kardong, and his | | | | the penultimate chapter is essentially communal and |
| commentary. A retired Episcopal priest, who used to | | | | public...selfless love for the other is a better way to |
| give retreats for the laity introducing The Rule of St. | | | | end the Rule than the theme of `perfection.'" |
| Benedict, suggested that I read the book without a | | | | It is the love in community; love for and of one |
| sense of time or looking towards the end of it. He | | | | another, the love that God offers and gives, that is |
| thought the work a book to be savored. | | | | central to living the Rule of St. Benedict. This alone is |
| Father Kardong has many good thoughts and | | | | worth the price of admission. For as the monastery is |
| suggestions; certainly his commentary is beneficial for | | | | a school for living, so the Rule offers a school for |
| the interested reader. That is not a statement too | | | | living the Gospel in ongoing conversion in one's life. |
| obvious to be made, for this is a worthy book by a | | | | "The Rule of St. Benedict" is a book inspired by the |
| wise and educated monk. | | | | Gospel and written by a great holy man, Benedict of |
| I will find a good quote from Terrence G. Kardong's | | | | Nursia (St. Benedict). |