Perfect for me in this period of my life where obedience, balance and order is so very appealing - a far cry from the last time I read this as an aimless, bored, know-it-all traditional college student! I don't think I would have cared much for the man himself tho; way too much physical punishment.
I'm looking forward to discussing the themes of this one with my fellow Well Read Moms :)

It'd be easy to write off monks or Benedict as one who simply rejected the world (though if we define world via biblical theology or how Paul thought, we probably should reject it too!) and ran off into isolation. I'm sure there's truth in that. But the Rule, taken as an alternative way of life of Christian holiness, is seriously formative. Just the amount of attention Benedict gives to the ordering of days/time is incredible. Given that we are shaped by so much around us, especially social media and technology, I found this rule a breath of fresh air. It gave me hope that serious, robust, and faithful Christian discipleship/catechism/formation is certainly possible. While not to be taken as a direct and unchanging template for life, the Rule inspires faithfully creative Christian thinking to establish formative practices to make us holy as our Heavenly Father is holy.

Here are some great quotes that challenged me to think how I personally resist being formed into Christ-likeness or were just great quotes:

"Your way of acting should be different from the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else. You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge. Rid your heart of all deceit. Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love. Bind yourself to no oath lest it prove false, but speak the truth with heart and tongue."

"Do not aspire to be called holy before you really are, but first be holy that you may more truly be called so."

"In the unsettled, strife-torn Italy of the sixth century, Benedict's Rule offered definitive direction and established an ordered way of life that gave security and stability." Timothy Fry from the introduction.

"a busy, involved society doesn't make a community." Thomas Moore from the preface.

Very interesting book! Not like fun to read or anything but super important for Church history. There is some really great wisdom in here for those who want to dive more into their spirituality and especially for those in some kind of spiritual authority. Worth the few hours it takes to read, even if it’s just for the history.

Some impressions to ponder:
1. Rid of excess and give to poor
2. Flying sweetly in the way of the commandments
3. Cheapest clothes without care for aesthetics
4. Due reverence and respect for elders
5. Silence and the converse of mirth i.e. laughter

bad news guys i will Not be pursuing monkhood :///

I've often thought that the monastic order is the high-point of my religion. No power, no ambition, just simple and just service to God and man.

Therefore I thought I'd read the beginning of that order. My sympathies are much more in align with the Franciscans then the Benedictions which is to put it gently, a little harsh. A surprisingly large amount of the book deals with Benedict's disdain for laughter and or grumbling.

Alot of this slight volume is simply not very useful to the layman, unless you desperately want to know how you should perform you're cooking duties and sleeping arrangements should a monastery happen to visit you.

Still this book is the foundation for an order and way of life that I have nothing but the utmost respect for. And if more Christians (myself of course included) followed the wisdom of lines such as, "keep your tongue free from vicious talk, and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and your aim." I firmly believe that both the world and the church would be in much better standing.

Quotes that amused me:
"The younger brothers should not have their beds next to each other, but interspersed among those of the seniors. On arising for the Work of God, they will quietly encourage one another, for the sleepy like to make excuses."
"We read that monks should not drink wine at all, but since the monks of our day cannot be convinced of this, let us at least agree to drink moderately"