Reflection from Nigel Price

The reading from the Rule of St Benedict for today

Chapter 49: The Observance of Lent

The life of a monastic ought to be a continuous Lent. Since few, however, have the strength for this, we urge the entire community during these days of Lent to keep its manner of life most pure and to wash away in this holy season the negligences of other times. This we can do in a fitting manner by refusing to indulge evil habits and by devoting ourselves to prayer with tears, to reading, to compunction of heart and self-denial.

Reflection

St Benedict wants his monks to be the best they can, but he is compassionate, realising that they will not be perfect – they are fallible and they need to be encouraged not chastised. This can be seen time and time again in his rule for living in religious community.

In this short extract dealing with the observance of Lent, though, he makes it clear that Lent is not all about abstinence. It is about restraint, not necessarily giving up totally. It is also about stepping up and taking on challenges – growing deeper in prayer and doing extra reading. It is an example that we would do well to follow in our own daily lives this Lent – and perhaps in the days to follow. A time to focus on change, looking forward with joy and spiritual longing.

What will give you a deeper sense of joy this Lent?

So we pray the Collect for today:

Merciful Lord, you know our struggle to serve you: when sin spoils our lives and overshadows our hearts, come to our aid and turn us back to you again; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000