Time to work on your Christian 'Rule of Life'

Every disciple of Christ has a "rule of life". However the extent to which we are aware of it and intentionally keep it under review can vary greatly from individual to individual.

Whatever our personality and our circumstances in life we each have patterns of prayer, reading the scriptures and committing ourselves to "good works", or social justice as we might more readily say today.

A rule of life is a gift from the living tradition of the Church which equips the baptized people of God for the daily renewal of life in the passion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an intentional and explicit framework for discipleship. It is a paradigm for discipleship. Its purpose is to help Christians, as individuals who are on a personal journey of faith and yet are always members of a community of faith, to live our lives as a daily conversion of life by the Holy Spirit.

There are "rules of life" which are well established and followed by many Christians, for example the Rule of St. Benedict, or the Rule of St. Francis. For some Christians a rule of life is not based on one historic tradition but is more "personalized" and worked out and reviewed with a parish priest, spiritual director or companion.

Please note that these resources are designed for use as an aid to self-examination within a context of conversation with one's parish priest, confessor, spiritual director, mentor or companion in Christ. No disciple of Christ should begin or review a rule of life in isolation. Once baptized we are no longer "individuals" but members of the body of Christ. Our discipleship of Christ should not be a private pursuit but always a part of the community of faith.

Work on a rule of life with a fellow disciple. Living a rule of life is normative and healthy for each and every baptized disciple of Christ. For most this will entail committing it to paper, which can be a revealing exercise in itself.

Below are four exercises for you to begin the journey:

These exercises are intended for use as part of a wider conversation with one's parish priest, confessor, spiritual director, mentor or companion in Christ.

It is the Holy Spirit who has the means to renew us. Living a rule of life is gift and treasure of the Church which equips us for active discipleship where orthodoxy (right-belief) and orthopraxis (right-action) are held with integrity, passion and joy.

We hope and pray that these exercises serve this purpose. There is always a risk that in a parish we have a propensity to become "concert Christians", that is passive spectators in a sacred drama. The season of Lent is an opportune time for each and every disciple to rededicate oneself to this task. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, February 25 this year.

But the review and renewal of one's rule of life is a life-long task. Indeed, all of our life is a season of grace. In your journey of discipleship may God's grace grant to you healing, transformation and renewal.

These exercises were developed by the Rev. Mark Greenaway-Robbins at his parish of St. James, Vancouver. Additional materials came from the website of St. Paul's Parish in Riverside, Illinois, www.stpaulsparish.org.

Exercise A

Mapping our Life in Christ.

On a blank page of paper, mark two points. The one on the left is to mark the point in time and space when you were born; the second mark the here and now. Draw a line from the left to the right. The line represents your journey through life, it may be any shape or style your discern appropriate to your life-journey.

Mark the sacraments (and those commonly called sacraments) you have celebrated: baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc.

Questions to ponder:

• On your life-map when and where have moments of revelation occurred for you?
• What has been your awareness of God at the corresponding time in your life? You might mark these also.

Think about and write down who has been important and significant to you along the line of your life-map.

Exercise B

Discerning the Fruits of the Spirit

After doing the first exercise, list the fruits of the spirit that St. Paul enumerated (see Galatians 5.22-23):

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Generosity
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

Give a score (between 1-5) for evidence of each of the fruits of the spirit in your life: Let "1" equals no evidence and "5" equates with clear evidence of a fruit of the spirit.

Questions to ponder:

• What may God be revealing to you through this exercise of scrutiny?

When looking at our Life-Map (Exercise A) can you discern episodes and trends of your awareness of, resistance to, and co-operation with the Holy Spirit

Exercise C

Making up a Week-Map.

On another sheept of paper make up a grid outlining the period of a week.

Identify the shape and content of your present rule of life by marking on the grid when in the course of a week you:

• Pray
• Fast
• Read the scriptures
• Undertake good-works, i.e. serve others in the name of Christ
• Dedicate time to silent prayer
• Examine your conscience

Questions to ponder:

• As you scrutinize your present rule of life where are the gaps?
• What shape might your renewed rule of life take?
• What is God revealing to you?

Exercise D

Discerning a Baptismal vocation.

Two methods are offered as a means of describing your baptismal vocation:

EITHER

Imagine that a biographer is writing a history of your life. The chapter headings of the biography about you each correspond to a different dimension of your baptismal vocation. Identify and describe what those headings would be.

OR

Imagine someone writing your obituary. (Journalists are usually much more generous to the departed than to the living.) As your discipleship of Christ is described what would be the themes which identify and describe your baptismal vocation and run through the obituary?

Describe your baptismal vocation as you presently discern it, according to one of these two methods.

Other ways to continue the journey

A periodic or annual retreat can be used for assessment, growth, refreshment, healing, and guidance.

Regular reading of Scripture can edify, comfort, strengthen, and renew us; it also has a way of opening us to the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Regular times of prayer, meditation, and contemplation are opportunities for us to be quiet and listen to God, as well as to talk to Him. "In Your presence there is fullness of joy." (Ps. 16.11)

Periods of silence, spent either alone or in groups, can teach us to listen to God without being distracted by unnecessary words or thoughts.

Spiritual reading, done either individually or in a group, and systematic spiritual formation in more formal settings such as Education For Ministry (EFM), Catechesis training, Adult Theology Class, or other Christian education can foster growth in the Spirit, broaden our understanding of ministry, and provide the necessary tools.

Chronicling our individual spiritual journeys, either verbally or in writing, can provide us with perspective and can encourage us and those with whom we share.

Experiential learning - serving or ministering to others and then reflecting on our actions - can help us to grow spiritually and to do some tangible good at the same time.

A pilgrimage has often been a favorite way to gather new and fresh insight, whether one journeys far or near, alone or with a group. Visiting a holy place and truly experiencing the culture and environment can deepen our understanding and appreciation.

A spiritual friend or companion can provide encouragement, friendship, and accountability.

Advice from the Anglican prayerbooks

At the Ash Wednesday liturgy the presiding Priest encourages the people of God to keep Lent faithfully with these words:

I invite you, in the name of the Lord, to observe a holy Lent by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God. (BAS p.282)

All Christian men and women should from time to time frame for themselves a RULE OF LIFE in accordance with the precepts of the Gospel and the faith and order of the Church; wherein they may consider the following:

The regularity of attendance at public worship and especially at the holy Communion.

The practice of private prayer, Bible-reading, and self-discipline.

Bringing the teaching and example of Christ into everyday life.

The boldness of one's spoken witness to faith in Christ.

Personal service to the Church and the community.

The offering of money according to one's means for the support of the work of the Church at home and overseas. (adapted from BCP p. 555)