Being Benedictine

July 2023 Lectio Divina and Oblate Reflections

Sources: 

Lectio Divina—I am the way and the truth and the life, John 14:1-12

Book Discussion—The Oblate Life, edited by Gervase Holdaway, OSB, 2008

Disclaimer:

I cannot claim to have captured all of the wisdom shared in our monthly oblate discussions or that I represent all oblates in attendance. The group discussion is a starting point for this reflection, but it is my interpretation of what I heard and what resonated with me. There could easily be as many different blog posts or reflections as oblates. Each of us comes to Lectio from our personal experience of God at that moment and we receive what we need in that moment as well. The beauty of Lectio Divina is that the reading, insights, and discussion may fall differently on each of our hearts. How blessed we are that there are “many dwelling places” (John 14:2)” and we are all invited to “listen with the ear of the heart.” (RB Prologue)

“Just as the word ‘oblate’ comes from a root word denoting the offering of a gift, each oblate’s life is an offering to God and a gift to the Benedictine community, which is enriched by the oblate’s presence and prayer…. A Benedictine way is not to be harsh or burdensome but is offered to those who seek God and the sweetness of God’s voice.”

The Oblate Life

Do not let your hearts be troubled

The opening verse of John 14:1-12 implies that we can let or NOT let our hearts be troubled. We have agency–we can choose or not to follow the way Jesus shares with his disciples. This way, having faith in God, will relieve us of our troubles. 

“In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” Jesus asks. As a personal offer, he tells them “I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” 

Jesus is pointing to his relationship with the Father as the way, the truth, and the life, affirming that “the way” is available for each of us– “You know the way.”  He and the Father are one; the Creator and I are one. “If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” if you know Jesus’ relationship with the Father, you are on the way! Do not be troubled.

“Master we do not know…Master show us…” The disciples question Jesus despite his promise–we don’t know where we are going! Show us the Father! They want to receive and/or know by being told or shown, but Jesus responds, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip?” Perhaps they want definitive answers or a quick or easier way to God, or, perhaps, they cannot see or yet understand that Jesus is steeped in his Father, and his Father is in him. They are one. And this oneness with God is also available to them.

This strikes me as similar to learning the Catechism in preparation for Holy Communication and Confirmation in the 1970s. Students were required to learn the responses to 120ish questions pertaining to Catholic doctrine. Our faith was measured by how quickly, confidently, and correctly we were able to respond. if we knew the questions and the answers, that was enough. We had checked the boxes to prove our faith. Just as the disciples wanted an intellectual knowledge or understanding of God, Jesus was telling them knowing God is about having a relationship with “the Father,” our Creator. It isn’t about what we know, but who we are in Christ. Religion can get in the way of faith–how we understand doctrine is not the essence of our relationship with God.

The Father who dwells in me is doing his works

The Father who dwells in each of us is the essence of who we are–and because this is who we are, that loving relationship flows from us in our good works. We see God in the people around us. 

When we follow the way, the truth, and the life–the way of Jesus– we embark on a pilgrimage of Christ-potential, of renewal and transformation. “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.” 

Christ wants us to go on the journey, to find our way. Signposts or maps point in a direction, but they are not the way itself, the experience, the moment, or the journey. “Where I am, you also will be.” We are invited, as in the hospitality of St. Benedict,  on the journey, not just as a spectator, to know the rules, to check the boxes, but to be in a relationship, as Jesus is with the Father, in Christ.

“Lectio Divina is our daily food. ‘Our spirituality has no method, we simply chew God’s word until our bones and flesh are transformed by the work of the Spirit.” 

The Oblate Life

I thank my fellow oblates for their insights and ideas that have impacted me, not just in this discussion but over the last 10 years as an oblate of Christ the King Priory. 

The cover photo: A rainbow appeared over St. Benedict while it was softly raining and the sun was shining.

© Jodi Blazek Gehr, Being Benedictine Blogger