Memorial of Saint
Benedict, abbot
(Genesis 44:18-21.23b-29.45:1-5; Matthew 10:7-15)
Today St. Benedict is being held up as a model for men
and women disillusioned with Western society.
He is seen as an innovator whose legacy slowly, methodically, and
completely transformed the decadent remains of Roman civilization. Benedict’s followers established monasteries as
centers of retreat, labor, and conservation of classical works. In doing so, they were able to live the
Christianity they professed while justifying its claim as the culmination of
history.
The contemporary movement resurrecting the model of St.
Benedict is called the “Benedict Option.” It began with observations by the moralist Alasdair
MacIntyre. The well-regarded philosopher
wrote that Western Civilization has lost its way in a morass of individualism
and relativism. He conjectured that
there is no use trying to correct the situation. Rather, he said, people of good will must
begin again with the ideals of St. Benedict in mind.
Benedict himself may have seen what he did as a response
to Jesus’ instructions in today’s gospel.
Jesus had a project in mind when he sent his apostles to preaching the
gospel. They were to announce the “Kingdom
of heaven,” i.e., God’s remaking the world in His love.