I discovered a plethora of quotes in reading Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way to Love by Fr. Daniel Homan and Lonni Collins Pratt. Each quote kind of stands on its own, but together they form a picture of Benedictine spirituality.
Hospitality is the answer to hostility. Jesus said to love your neighbor; hospitality is how.
…if we close ourselves to the stranger, we close ourselves to the Sacred.
Acceptance is about receiving, rather than judging.
Acceptance is not about condoning; it is about embracing.
When we accept, we take an open stance to the other person. It is more than merely piously tolerating them. We stand in the same space and we appreciate who they are, right now at this moment, and affirm the Sacred in them.
Every human is sacred; every life is holy ground.
The Incarnation shows us that God knew no one becomes real to us unless they’re human, including God.
Benedict’s conviction was that all of us are headed together toward God. We are headed toward union with God. It is impossible to say what this means, exactly, but we live our little lives with big purpose and a sense that there is more. We do this by faith. It goes against the seeming ordinariness of everything. We take a radical position when we insist that it all does matter. Life is holy ground.
Your life is not personal property; you belong to God.
Every moment is more brightly precious than we can possibly understand. Our lives are worth more than the best deal that might tempt you to sell your soul. We did not bargain for most of what we get in this life, but life itself is worth holding onto, and worth valuing. It is a great loss if we greet every day with clenched hands stuffed with our own devices. We will never know what is out there waiting for us if we don’t extend an empty hand to the world and wait for wonder to happen. Benedictine hospitality provides us with a way to offer empty hands to the world. It provides us with a way home.
(more…)
I found this prayer at DeoOmnisGloria that is perfect for the family (or small group or school):
Our forgiving Lord, we praise you for your unconvential love, compassion, and understanding.
It is through your sacrifice that we come together and praise you in song and prayer for all eternity.
Jesus, it is through our selfishness that we ignore others in need. Lord we are sorry for our sins and ask forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, please replace our sins of pride, anger and arrogance with love for others, compassion and serenity.
Remove our fear and doubts and help us do your will.
Good Shepherd, guide and protect us through the week.
We give you thanks, our Redeemer, for the gifts of friends, animals, food, family, and faith.
Father, with the Holy Spirit, watch over us and guide our actions.
Holy One, we adore you for all your love. Lamb of God give us strength to spread your peace.
Amen.
Every year that I have taught, going on 14 years now, I have had a copy of this quote taped to the inside of my gradebook as a reminder:
I have come to a frightening conclusion.
I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make
a child
While searching for some Benedictine weblogs, I found the following list of quotes highlighting Benedictine spirituality at One House. The original source is unknown, but the quotes come from the Rule of Benedict. The use of the word “rule” is meant as a “guide”, not a list of do’s and dont’s. Karen may describe the “rule” best as a “‘trellis’, a framework for growth.”
St. Benedict’s teachings provide a gospel way of life for women and men.
Listen—To hear keenly and sensitively the voices of persons and all created things.
“Listen with the ear of your heart.” RB Prologue
Awareness of God—To look for God not in the abstract but in the ordinary events of every day.
“…every time you begin a good work, you must pray to God most earnestly to bring it to perfection.” RB Prologue
Community Living—To become who we are by our relationships with others.
“The younger monks must respect their seniors, and the seniors must love their juniors.” RB 63
Respect for Persons—To respect each person regardless of class, background or professional skill.
“No one is to pursue what is judged best for oneself, but instead, what is better for someone else.” RB 72
Hospitality—to offer warmth, acceptance, and joy in welcoming others.
“Let all be received as Christ.” RB 53
Dignity of Work—To appreciate the dignity of work as a share in God’s creation.
“…they live by the labor of their hands.” RB 48
Stewardship—To appreciate and to care lovingly for all the goods of this place.
“Regard all utensils as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar.” RB 31
Moderation—To be content with living simply and finding balance in work, prayer and leisure.
“All things are to be done with moderation.” RB 48
Stability—To cultivate rootedness and a shared sense of mission.
“To stand firm in one’s promises.” RB 58
Justice—To work toward a just order in our immediate environment and in the larger society.
“…that in all things God may be glorified.” RB 57
Peace—To strive for peace on all levels: with self, with neighbor, and with God.
“Let peace be your quest and aim.” RB Prologue
We are familiar with Jesus’ call to agape love, to love unconditionally. But we live in a fallen world. We are not perfect. Which makes me wonder:
What are the consequences of conditional love?
![[book cover]](http://cowpi.com/journal/media/2004/radical_hospitality.jpg "'Radical Hospitality: Benedicts Way of Love' by Fr. Daniel Homan, Lonni Collins Pratt")