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June 27, 2006
> 2:09 PM
benedict and reform > new monasticism  I was having an interesting conversation the other day with new blogger Aimee Milburn, in her comments about monasticism, Benedict, the emerging church, reform, etc. It made me want to learn more about the history of Benedict and his order, how it started, etc. I found a great brief history article today, compliments of the monks of Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico. You can read the whole thing here. Here's a little piece I found particularly interesting, concerning the notion of "Constantinianism," as it is sometimes known, and some of the motivations behind starting a new monastic community in his day. I think I feel even more of a connection to the man and what he was doing now.Following closely the cessation of persecutions and conversion to Christianity of the Roman emperors, steady growth of the Church quickly and inevitably led to what was perceived as a breakdown in discipline. Whereas, formerly, Christians had been identified as a minority group often at odds with the state, they now became in some cases the state itself. Under the Emperor Constantine, for example, few non-Christians could hope for advancement in imperial service. He himself took an active role in ecclesiastical affairs, and his household showered the Church with such favors as buildings and endowments. This massive injection of secular values into the sacred heralded the birth of the Church Triumphant, and it did not take long for ascetics to seek outlets that would contrast with what they perceived as mediocre Christianity. Thus would monasticism gradually evolve into a potent platform for social and religious reform.Very interesting stuff. It inspires me. I'm thinking it might inspire many. Part of the discussion I had revolved around the idea that if reform is needed, how much (sort of) and what gets chucked and what doesn't, etc. It seems Benedict was on a bit of a mission of reform, for people, not just clergy, it wasn't particularly to create a religious order as an institution, it was just about, "ok, wow, let's go over here and be Christians in a way that we can - actually BE Christians." Anyway, he didn't throw out the whole tub full of babies to do it, and what he did, or started, still reverberates throughout the Christian world today. I truly believe there are some of us who have been inhabited by a terrible yearning for this context - where we can truly BE Christian and help others to be so as well - where Love can grow and change us. The Holy Spirit has birthed something in us that is growing in our bellies and will - yes they will - be born not too very long from now. Some of them are already wiggling and blinking their eyes in the world. Monastic reform is alive and well - it grows in the hearts of some relatively insignificant "children" who don't happen to have a stake from the Motherhouse in France or somewhere. It will be hard in ways. It will be wonderful. This keeps me from giving up. Grace and Patience, Father! technorati tags > monastic, monasticism, st. benedict, benedictine order, monastic reform, ecclesiastical reform, emerging church Labels: monasticism 0 Comments:| permalink | e-mail me | 
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