The First Language of God
Saint Benedict, whose feast we celebrate on July 11th, was an early environmentalist. He wrote his Rule of Saint Benedict but in this case the word rule doesn’t mean law. It comes from the Latin regula or schedule so really it’s a little book for his monks about how they should spend their days and he recommends regular periods of silence. For Benedict though, silence didn’t mean just not talking. It meant not laughing at a joke aimed at hurting others. It meant speaking thoughtfully and carefully when we did speak. It meant listening. In fact, the first word of the Rule is “Listen”. This week, see if you can put some silence and listening into your regula.
“Listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” Job 33:33
In the spirit of synodality and in anticipation of 2025, the 800th Anniversary of St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures and the 10th year of the Laudato Si Movement, we are listening, and we want to hear from you. Spend some time with the questions below and tell us what you hear before July 25th. Email stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com. Laudato Si Circles around the world are doing exactly this. When we say we’re a spirit-led movement, we mean it.
WHAT MOMENTS HAVE I DEEPLY FELT THAT I AM RESPONDING TO THE CALL TO CARE FOR CREATION?
WHAT DO I SENSE THE CREATOR IS CALLING ME TO, HERE AND NOW?
For more information about the Laudato Si Circle here at St. Francis or to share your own tip of the week, email: stfrancislaudatosi@gmail.com
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