Seventy-Four Tools for Good Living: Reflections on the Fourth Chapter of Benedict’s Rule

by Michael Casey Ocso

There is more in Benedict’s Rule than meets the eye. Based on the rules of life of John Cassian and Saint Basil, Benedict invites us to go further back to the scriptural basis of all Christian and monastic living and pursue our spiritual journey by the guidance of the Gospel.This book of reflections on the tools for good living is intended to be read very slowly, one section at a time. In addition to communicating reflections on each verse of chapter 4, Casey invites readers ·         continue the process of reflection for themselves·         apply what is written to their own lives·         draw on their own wisdom and insight·         and, ultimately, broaden their experience of monastic spirituality

296 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Andrew Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Casey, an Australian Cistercian monk, is respected throughout the Benedictine world as one of the best living writers on Benedictine spirituality. In this book, he goes through the fourth chapter of Benedict's Rule, the list of 74 "tools of good works." It looks like a laundry list of do's & don'ts When read reflectively, it is a source of much spiritual insight. Casey brings many years' of monastic experience into his reflections as he goes through each "tool" one by one. The sense of taking a long approach to monastic living based on years in community is consistently impressed upon the reader. The reflections are best read slowly in small doses, allowing time to reflection and sinking in. There is some repetition throughout the book. This is because many of the same teachings come up several times throughout this chapter with different shades and angles. Most prominent are concerns with long term anger and descents into fantasy through the delusions of pride. These are dangerous problems not only in the monastic life but in any social setting and we do well to reflect on them regularly. Since this chapter is believed to be a list of brief exhortations for Christian living with origins outside the monastic tradition, the teachings are applicable to all Christians and for that matte, any person of any faith or none who wishes to live wisely and well.

[Candace Simar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent book by Michael Casey who writes about Benedictine spirituality and the Rule of Benedict. I LOVED IT. Though it describes life in a monastery, it also is applicable to individuals who seek to grow in Christ.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

awareness of sin and temptation, honor and be magnanimous, to restrain the body for the sake of the soul, goodness of the Lord sweetness of love pleasure of virtuous life pinnacle of love, a privilege to help the poor to reaffirm their dignity, the left hand does not know the right in mercy, fear and low self-esteem, empathy and listening,

[Gerlinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author writes clearly about the 4th chapter of the rule of St. Benedict that makes it applicable to the life of a religious or lay person.