A Rule of Life
To facilitate living the type of spirituality we have been outlining in our review of the Ten Wellsprings of Grace for Evangelical Catholic, it is helpful to have a “rule” or a “plan of life,” which is a guide or commitment for daily living.
“Rules” have had a long and honored place in Catholic spirituality. Perhaps you’ve heard of the “Rule of St. Benedict” or others. These rules more or less order everything in the observer’s life from daily prayers and devotional practices to food consumption and manner of dress. They can be followed as part of a monastic community or as a “tertiary” member living in the world, such as the Secular Franciscans do. Other people join secular institutes or just privately follow a plan of life to which he or she is attracted. Drawing inspiration from other devout souls, these individuals seek to order their lives according to a path most conducive to their holiness and ministerial effectiveness. Evangelical Catholics seek to be faithful to their “rule of life” without being legalistic or in bondage to it. They include in their plan commitments to spiritual reading, lectio divina, self-denial and caring for the needs of others.
Sample Evangelical Catholic Rule of Life
6:00-7:15 Coffee and lectio divina
8:15 Work
Noon
M,W,F Mass
T&TH Lunch with co-workers, or perhaps outreach at a community meal program
12:45 Work
5:30 Dinner & Evening Activities
9:30 Examine conscience and pray for intentions
10:00 Lights Out
Weekly and Monthly
- Sunday Mass
- Thursday Bible Study
- Fast on Friday and perhaps 1/2 hour adoration
- Monthly Confession
- Visit Aunt Ruth in Nursing Home every other Saturday
- Clean for Mr. Roberts every other Saturday