In addressing the Benedictine Confederation on April 19, 2018 at the Vatican, Pope Francis described Benedictine monasteries and abbeys as oases “where men and women of all ages, origins, cultures and religions can discover the beauty of silence.” Maintaining an “oasis of peace” takes intentional and consistent effort. It doesn’t happen by accident.
St. Benedict writes, “Let peace be your quest and aim” (RB Prol 17). In this statement, St. Benedict directs his disciples to recognize that peace is both a journey and a goal. As a “quest” or journey, peace is an evolving process that happens over time. It requires regularly applied effort and intention. Quests have an objective, a purpose, or a desired outcome having great value. Those who undertake a quest often face dangerous challenges and significant obstacles as they make their way closer to their destination. Quests require courage, determination, resourcefulness, and humility. Thinking of peace as a quest might help us to consider the ways in which peace also requires courage, determination, resourcefulness and humility.
Establishing or maintaining peace sometimes means speaking truth to power, which requires a significant measure of courage when potentially painful consequences might result. Peaceful relationships require mutual respect and honesty, even when differing beliefs and/or opinions exist between the parties. Peace also requires trust, and trust takes courage. A determined effort to make peace a priority will demand creative resourcefulness in the use of time, energy, attention and assets. Above all else, humility is the one necessity that makes peace possible. That is why St. Benedict mentions humility so often in his Rule and dedicates an entire chapter to it.
Similarly, peace is one of the primary objectives of monastic life and spirituality. To be at peace with God, self, others and creation is an end toward which all else is directed. Prayer, work, service and leisure all contribute to the common goal of peace.
May Christ, who is the Prince of Peace, uphold each and all of us in these turbulent times in our country and our world. Remain courageous in the face of fear, determined in the face of doubt, resourceful in the face of opposition and humble in all that you do and say so that God may be glorified in all things. Amen.
By Sister Therese Haydel, OSB