The eCrozier

A few years back I was teaching an adult education class in my parish. We were discussing the three great monotheistic faiths: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. I asked: “How can you tell a faithful Muslim?” The answers were pretty quick in coming: “Pray five times a day facing Mecca.” “Fast during the daylight hours during Ramadan.” “Make a pilgrimage to Mecca during one’s lifetime.” I asked a similar question about Judaism and the answers came just as quickly: “Keep the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.” “Keep kosher.” “Keep all 613 Mitzvot.” I then asked: “What about Christians?” There was some extended silence and then tentatively one person said: “Well, I guess, going to church and trying to live a good life.” Heads nodded. It seemed we had agreement.

I was not really surprised, but that does not mean I was not disappointed. The truth is Christianity does have particular practices that define us as much Islam and Judaism. Unfortunately, to some extent, over time, we have not understood them as being central to our discipleship. So, we get the common answer: “Going to church and trying to live a good life.” Some, but not all of these practices are:

· Participating in the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day.

· Offering Hospitality to others

· Forgiving sins against us

· Testifying to the faith that is in us

· Serving the poor

Of course, there are more, but the above are the ones that have been universally present in our tradition for 2000 years.

We ought to be clear with those we lead that the above practices are central to our common identity in Christ in the Church. Being faithful is more than just going to church and trying to live a good life. Our practices are more particular than that.

One way we can help our parishioners become more intentional in practicing our faith is to encourage them to establish a Rule of Life. This ancient discipline helps practitioners get intentionally focused on our Christian practices. Attached is a one-page over view of we might encourage our people to begin a Rule of Life.

+Scott

RULE OF LIFE

What are the basic elements to a Rule of Life? It needs to be:
1) Specific: should be able to say clearly what we are doing;
2) Realistic: should be something we can really manage;
3) Sacrificial: should demand something of us;
4) Flexible: should be appropriate to our life’s experience; and,
5) Responsive: should reflect the claims of Christ and His Church.

What does a Rule of Life need to contain? It should contain:
1) Daily Prayer – participating in the Sunday Eucharist with my sisters and brother in Christ and praying daily at the same time either alone or with someone else. This daily time must be guarded and defended or we will find excuses why we need not keep it. We can always come up with reasons why something else is more important.

2) Daily Study – participating in a weekly group Bible study and a daily personal Bible study using the many resources available from the Church. This is indispensable because we will not know what we are to pray for unless we are grounded in the Word of God.

3) Daily Action – giving attention to the people and circumstances in your life through your family, friends, work, community, and neighborhood, and, using the resources of the Church to find appropriate avenues for your action. Every day we must be intentional in doing our acts of discipleship. It may be as simple as a kind word to a co-worker who needs lifting up. But if this not on our mind and heart each day, it will pass us by. At the end of the day, we should ask ourselves: “what action did I take today that reflected the love of Jesus for someone else?”

The first list above should help us form of a Rule of Life that is easily definable and manageable, while being both responsive to the Church and a spiritual challenge to ourselves. The second list above should help us keep our Rule focused on the essentials of the Christian life (prayer, study, and action).
~1998, Scott A. Benhase