Living in the House of God: Monastic Essays Volume 32

by Margaret Malone, Michael Casey (Foreword by)

Overview

“How should we live in this house of God? We know that the way a building is shaped also helps in determining the way those within it live and relate. We are indeed formed by what we form. Qualities such as integrity, hospitality, humanity and beauty in a place will enable its dwellers to live lives in which such qualities are evident. The way we understand who we are and how we live will be reflected in our places and vice versa. Our places become bearers of meaning and memory.” —From Chapter 1
In Living in the House of God, Margaret Malone draws on her study of and research on the Rule of Saint Benedict to show the ways in which this ancient rule can illuminate modern life. The broad gamut of topics this book examines—from Benedictine life as sacrament to Augustine’s influence on Benedict to obedience and the art of listening, among others—is itself a witness to the generous flexibility of the Rule, as Benedict proposes a way of life that truly corresponds to the deepest needs of the whole of human nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780879070328
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	11/21/2014
Series:	Monastic Wisdom , #32
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Margaret Malone, SGS, is a member of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict. She trained as a teacher and taught at all levels; her last appointment was as a lecturer at Australian Catholic University where she taught sacraments, liturgy, and social justice. Since then, her main work has been in formation throughout her own order and with the Benedictine monks at New Norcia. She gives retreats internationally and nationally.

Michael Casey, OCSO, has been a monk of Tarrawarra Abbey (Australia) since 1960. In the intervening years he has conducted many retreats and workshops on every continent (except Antarctica) and has written many articles on topics relating to monastic history and spirituality. He is also the author of many books, including The Road to Eternal Life: Reflections on the Prologue of Benedict's Rule and Seventy-Four Tools for Good Living: Reflections on the Fourth Chapter of Benedict’s Rule, both from Liturgical Press.

Table of Contents

Foreword Michael Casey vii

Editor's Note xi

1 Living in the House of God 1

2 Benedictine Life: A Sacramental Life 16

3 An Adventure Tale of Divine Love 29

4 Authority: A Service of Love 45

5 Benedict's Abbot and Saint Augustine 53

6 Taking Counsel: A Search for Wisdom 64

7 "Lay Aside Everything" 72

8 Community Table and Eucharist 83

9 Looking Forward to Holy Easter 94

10 "Seek Peace and Pursue It" 105

11 Obedience: A Listening Stance 116

12 Listening with the Heart 128

13 Benedictine Tradition: Timeless and Contemporary 134

14 Communio: The Church and the Benedictine School 147

Epilogue: A Gift for the Future 171

Sources 174

Editorial Reviews

After more than half a century living and teaching the Benedictine Rule, Sister Margaret Malone has collected some of the articles written over the years, demonstrating her ability to bring the Rule to bear on the contemporary world. This book is a fine example of the Benedictine tradition of humanitas."
Michael Casey, OCSO, Author of Seventy-Four Tools for Good Living


"It is clear from reading Living in the House of God that the Rule is not a pious manual useful only to 6th century monastics. It is a timely source of wisdom. In giving us Living in the House of God Margaret Malone has offered us a helpful resource that will enhance the search for wisdom on the journey towards God."
Tjurunga

From the Publisher