Jerry McGrane

Not sure how many commenters actually read the Rule or attempted to understand its context and intent. Naturally, a document written for monks 1500 years ago is not going to have much direct application to today. It is after all a rule of community life in a particular time and place and situation. What we glean from the rule is 1. Placing Christ above all things. 2. Seeing Christ in all people, including those we live and work with everyday as well as the stranger, and treating them accordingly. 3. Structure and balance--modern life tends to be highly scheduled, but not intentional and certainly not balanced. The rule invites us to ask, how can I live more intentionally? How can I better sort out the "ends" and the "means." These are just some of the lessons the Rule offers us today. Yes, it means you have to endure rather dry and specific instructions. If working through such material to find its meaning and value does not appeal to your tastes, then you are correct, the Rule is not for you. That however does not diminish its overall value and importance. Some of the happiest people I have ever met live in monasteries. What do they know that we don't?