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Rule of the SSJE
Christians of all denominations are looking today to the ancient discipline of a rule of life to strengthen their sense of living in Christ and participating in a wider community. For the first time the brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist are making their rule—completely rewritten and revised—available to the church at large.
The book is composed of 49 short chapters that develop classical monastic themes of hospitality, poverty, celibacy, and obedience, exploring what these might mean to men and women living at the end of the millennium. And because this is a modern rule, it provides guidance and reflection in less traditional areas, too—leadership, conflict, the use and abuse of authority, work, the need for rest and silence, vocation, and fellowship with the poor. Therefore it has much to teach Christians in other kinds of communities, including the family, the parish, and the workplace.
Concluding chapters give suggestions for meditating on the Rule and for its use as an aid to discernment and spiritual growth for prayer groups and parish life committees.
The book is composed of 49 short chapters that develop classical monastic themes of hospitality, poverty, celibacy, and obedience, exploring what these might mean to men and women living at the end of the millennium. And because this is a modern rule, it provides guidance and reflection in less traditional areas, too—leadership, conflict, the use and abuse of authority, work, the need for rest and silence, vocation, and fellowship with the poor. Therefore it has much to teach Christians in other kinds of communities, including the family, the parish, and the workplace.
Concluding chapters give suggestions for meditating on the Rule and for its use as an aid to discernment and spiritual growth for prayer groups and parish life committees.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 24, 2020
This is a good book, with spiritual insights abounding in its pages. Read it at a slow pace so you can "inwardly digest" it. If you know how to do Lectio Divina, this is a book that is perfect for that type of reading. The widsom of the brothers are alive in this document!
May 24, 2015
For rest and renewal
When the world is out of control, or the wrong things and people are rewarded for their evil, I turn back to the Rule for rest and renewal. It is a centering point that convinces me that God is in control and that we can live together not only out of personal consideration for each other, but truly live together in a common, shared spiritual life. The Rule is not a discouragement through pointing out our failures, but instead an encouragement that living a life in Christ is fulfilling and rewarding.
When the world is out of control, or the wrong things and people are rewarded for their evil, I turn back to the Rule for rest and renewal. It is a centering point that convinces me that God is in control and that we can live together not only out of personal consideration for each other, but truly live together in a common, shared spiritual life. The Rule is not a discouragement through pointing out our failures, but instead an encouragement that living a life in Christ is fulfilling and rewarding.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews