(14) Living Stones

"St. Peter, lingering over the image of the temple, emphasises
that we are its 'living stones' and that we ought to make ourselves
available for building a spiritual house. However alone you may
be, you have a social role to play, and you cannot opt out of this
without betraying the interests of the community..."
[Anonymous Monk, Alan Neame (trans.), THE HERMITAGE WITHIN:
SPIRITUALITY OF THE DESERT, Paulist Press, 1977, p. 127.]

Comment: Ancient desert monks were not required to attend church
every Sunday, rather perhaps once a month. There's a story about
one such ancient monk showing-up for church, and an official asked
"what are you doing here?" At that time the desert monk had other
duties than church attendence.

The Benedictines came after these desert solitaries, and their's
was a communal existence, with daily mass (after priests became
the dominant members). Their monasteries had a chapel that
served as a church.

In today's world, Benedictines behind the walls still remain
communal and are true to "church," whether Roman Catholic or
Anglican. Benedictine oblates, too, are expected to support their
parish church and also try to attend church at their affiliated
monastery periodically.

As for myself, I've had a hard time with "church." Too much of an
idealist, I suppose. I really did want so much to believe that we are
"living stones," that the Church is the "Body of Christ." Rather, more
than often, I found dissension. Historically we read of the constant
splintering of Church into more and more denominations, created
out of dissension and dissatisfaction. Historically, also, the warts of
the Church are highly prominent, committing questionable acts in
the name of God.

It all became rather sad for me. My high hope for Church seemed so
lost. I felt lost as well. Still I look back at the Benedictines, and I have
to admit that this great monastic Order *presented* Church at its best.
The Benedictines were part of the great prayer-wheel for the Church.
Monks were the great spiritual part of the Church. God was the focus,
and still remains the focus in Benedictine communities. The great
Rule of St. Benedict stresses hospitality--and the Benedictine houses
and their chapels and churches are open, running gently, never
harsh, rarely opinionated. And historically I have never found an
incident when Benedictines ever participated in cruel atrocities
toward others.

In my estimation, the Benedictines genuinely tried to be "living stones"
of God's Temple. But no one is perfect, and probably never will be.
Still, it is the trying that is important. And this effort to be a living stone
can be carried forth beyond the monastery's walls, even outside the
institutional church, on into the many communities of the world, where
there is always such need for spiritual support.

We are now undoubtedly in experimental times when it comes to
how we might renew Church. The "living stones" of the Temple may
ultimately come to understand that the whole of God's Creation *is*
the Real Temple. And come this realization there might come a
New Revelation.

Could be that some Benedictines, within the monastery or outside
the walls, are already in this New Vanguard of Living Stones.