On April 9, 2008, Pope Benedict spoke at length (about 5 pages worth) on St. Benedict, the Patron of his pontificate.
I just love the way the Pope writes/speaks. He referred to St. Gregory the Great's
Dialogues Vol. II which is the most important source on St. Benedict's life. The Pope said, "Gregory wished to illustrate the ascent to the peak of contemplation which can be achieved by those who abandon themselves to God. He therefore gives us a model for human life in the climb toward the summit of perfection [St. Benedict]."
Once again in two sentences, the Holy Father, provides material for hours of consideration and a concise summary of a book, that somebody really needs to sit down and write.
St. Benedict climbed toward the summit of perfection. He provided us a Rule to help us make that climb and lived a life that we can take as an example of how to make that climb ourselves. St. Benedict ascended to the peak of contemplation, and whether St. Gregory here uses contemplation as that level of prayer which is pure gift or as a synonym for meditation, the way St. Benedict made that ascent was through self-abandonment to God.
Peak of contemplation -- abandon themselves to God -- summit of perfection, they are like jigsaw puzzle pieces that interlock together making a whole that quickens the heart of all Catholics who long to strive for holiness. This whole is the work and journey of a lifetime.
But this whole requires a foundation, St. Benedict knew that and provided for it. He lived in what is now known as the Holy Grotto in Subiaco for three years as a hermit. Pope Benedict says, "The period in Subiaco, a time of solitude with God, was a time of maturation for Benedict. It was here that he bore and overcame
the three fundamental temptations of every human being: the temptation of self-affirmation and the desire to put oneself at the center, the tempation of sensuality, and, lastly, the tempation of anger and revenge."
Three years alone with God, speaks of a time of serious prayer, which Pope Benedict refers to as "the foundation of his existence." and "Without prayer there is no experience of God." St. Benedict himself describes prayer as an act of listening, which must then be expressed in action. The Pope goes on to say, "However, Benedict states that in the first place prayer is an act of listening (Prol. 9-11), which must then be expressed in action. .. . . Thus, the monk's life becomes a fruitful symbiosis between action and contemplation, 'so that God may be glorified in all things' (57, 9)." Of course, action in the life of a Catholic is synonymous with obedience. "In the exercise of obedience practiced by faith inspired by love (5,2), the monk achieves humility (5,1) . . . . In this way, man conforms ever more to Christ and attains true self-fulfillment as a creature in the image and likeness of God."
So more pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit and the picture begins to be seen. St. Benedict, the hermit, prays alone for three years. He overcomes self-affirmation, sensuality and anger/revenge. Three sins whose underlying foundation is pride and which can only be vanquished by humility. Prayer - fruit (the grace of overcoming sin). Prayer - obedience. Prayer - humility. Prayer - grace of abandonment - contemplation - the summit of perfection. As the pieces fit together, it becomes obvious that it isn't a picture that emerges at all, it is instead the view through a kaleidoscope that is constantly changing at first glance it looks like a picture of prayer, but no it is a picture of discipleship, but actually it is a picture listening but really it is a picture of humility, but . . . .
. . . . . but pictures are whole, not linear. Life is four dimensional not flat. This is why St. Benedict is a model for us in the climb to the summit of perfection. His life began with prayer, continued in prayer, persevered in prayer and ended in prayer. That prayer gave him the grace to overcome sin, the grace to obey, the grace of humility, the grace to listen. the grace to love. It is all grace, even prayer.
