In the heart of the Benedictine way of life lies a fundamental aspiration: peace. Not just the absence of conflict, but a wellspring of inner harmony, connectedness, and purpose. As Saint Benedict directs us, "If you truly desire life, then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit; turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." (Prologue, RB)
Many Benedictine saints embodied this pursuit of peace:
St. Meinrad of Einsiedeln (c. 800-861): A hermit-martyr who, seeking peace, famously left his wealthy family behind to live as a hermit in the dark forests of Europe. His story emphasizes the peace found in contemplative solitude.
Blessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923): A Benedictine abbot whose writings focus on contemplative prayer, union with Christ, and living a deeply spiritual life within the ordinary. His "theology of nothingness" highlights the peace found in surrendering our own wills and desires to God.
St. Gertrude the Great (1256-1302): A Benedictine mystic known for her visions and writings focusing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her spirituality emphasized contemplative prayer and surrender to God's will, a source of deep inner peace.
Peace with oneself begins with the courage of self-discovery. It means embracing our strengths and weaknesses, our joys and sorrows, with gentleness and compassion. Through prayer, meditation, and the quiet work of our days, we learn to still the inner turmoil. Benedict reminds us, "Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ" (Chapter 72, RB) - even our anxieties and imperfections should not distract us from finding rest in him.
But true peace cannot exist in isolation. St. Benedict understood the essential nature of community and the intricate ways we impact each other. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17). Benedictines live this maxim daily; offering support, practicing forgiveness, and listening with genuine attention allow us to forge bonds that heal division.
Peace with oneself begins with the courage of self-discovery. It means embracing our strengths and weaknesses, our joys and sorrows, with gentleness and compassion.
Ultimately, the Benedictine journey towards peace leads us to a deeper connection with the divine. Our lives pulsate with the Divine Office, with prayer as Benedict says, being "the work of God" (Chapter 43, RB). Through contemplative prayer, service to others, and an openness to the whispers of the Spirit, we discover the abiding peace that transcends earthly concerns. This peace isn't mere comfort - it infuses our lives with meaning, enabling us to be true instruments of God's peace in the world.
Beyond Words: The Theology of Nothingness and the Benedictine Path
Curious to learn more about the Benedictine path to peace? On this episode of Godsplaining, Dominican friars Fr. Joseph-Anthony Kress and Fr. Bonaventure Chapman explore the spirituality of Blessed Columba Marmion, the Benedictine saint known for his theology of nothingness.
May we all find peace within ourselves, in our relationships with others, and in our connection with the source of all love and being.
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