Living a Rule of Life
When I first started studying the Rule for the Fellowship of Saint John, I kept asking myself the question, “How can I possibly do this?” I was really wondering about my tenacity in sticking to something when I had failed at other things like diets and “reading the bible in 90 days”. But I realized that it isn’t about being perfect: as humans we will never be perfect. It is about having direction in my life and a rudder that I can return to when I’m confused about right actions and words.
My question went from “How can I do this?” to “How can I NOT do this?”
The Rule of the Fellowship of Saint John is pretty simple. As I pondered how I would put it into action, I knew that we each have different gifts and temptations so the application of the rule will be different for each person. Here’s the rule:
Rule for the Fellowship of Saint John
Prayer for the Society
The members of the Fellowship of Saint John and the brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist are united in mutual bonds of prayer. Members promise to pray for the Society and its mission every day, commending to the love of God the brothers and those they are called to serve.
Annual Commitment
Members reaffirm their bond with the Society and their commitment to the Rule of the Fellowship annually in writing when they receive the Director’s letter.
Reflecting on the Rule of the SSJE
Each member of the Fellowship keeps a copy of the Rule of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, and over the course of the year takes time to reflect on its teachings, using its guidance for living an ordered life of prayer and service.
The Worshiping Community
The vocation of all Christians is to share and strengthen the common life in the Body of Christ. Each member of the Fellowship is a committed and recognized member of a worshiping community - a parish, chaplaincy or other regular congregation within the Body of Christ - and contributes to its life and ministry.
The Eucharist
Our worship of God finds its fullest expression in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Members participate in the Holy Eucharist on a regular basis, normally every Sunday and on the major celebrations of the Christian year. Those members who belong to Christian denominations which offer fewer opportunities for eucharistic worship take part as often as they can and are faithful to the regular worship of their community.
The Rhythm of Feast and Fast
As far as possible, members of the Fellowship incorporate the rhythm of the Church Year into their worship and devotional life, especially the major feasts of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, and the seasons of Advent and Lent Our feasts will be holy and joyful if we are prepared to enter from time to time into Jesus’ desert fast. Fasting is appropriate on penitential occasions and at times of retreat, reflection or preparation; it is especially recommended during Advent and Lent. Those unable to fast are encouraged to take on some other appropriate discipline.
Personal Prayer
The Holy Spirit, poured into our hearts, inspires in us prayer which embraces the whole of life and draws us into intimate communion with God. Members of the Fellowship adopt a rhythm of regular prayer. Priority is given to securing several opportunities during each week for meditative prayer in which they can open their hearts to the love of Christ and grow in intimacy with him. Four periods of half an hour, or five of twenty minutes, form a basic pattern; some members are drawn to a fuller commitment. Members are also encouraged to incorporate some form of the Daily Office into their prayer, either regularly or occasionally. In praying the Offices of Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Evening Prayer or Compline members join in the round of worship offered by the brothers of the Society.
Study
The pursuit of knowledge is an expression of love for God’s world and the riches of revelation. Through regular reading and study, members develop their understanding of the Christian faith in contemporary life, deepen their knowledge of the Scriptures, and nurture their spiritual growth.
Retreat
Times of retreat which enable us to celebrate the primacy of the love of God above all else are essential elements in the rhythm of life. All members are urged to make a three-day silent retreat at least once every year to deepen their life in Christ. ‘When circumstances prevent this, a member may choose to observe several quiet days in the year, withdrawing from their usual activities for prayer, stillness, reflection and spiritual reading.
Reconciliation
Member commit themselves to making a searching review of their life of discipleship in the light of the gospel at least twice a year, normally before Christmas and Easter. They express their repentance and experience the forgiveness of God through the rite of Reconciliation where this is available to them. Others will seek the grace of renewal through their own prayer.
Giving
Members of the Fellowship express their gratitude for God’s generosity by giving of their time, abilities and money as their life circumstances allow. In the stewardship of their resources, members take into account the needs of the Church, the poor, the Society’s ministries and other concerns related to the common welfare. Members take responsibility for avoiding waste and extravagance in their lives and find ways of embodying the simplicity and generosity of Christ.
Health
Jesus came as our healer that we “may have life and have it abundantly.” Members of the Fellowship take responsibility for the maintenance of their health, both for their own sake and out of consideration for the communities in which they live. Regular exercise, diet, rest, appropriate medical attention, creative activities and play all contribute to our physical and mental well-being.
Relationships
A living faith in the Trinity deepens our commitment to the fostering of personal relationships in which we are called to give ourselves and to be open to the gifts of others. In their daily life, members of the Fellowship seek ways to nurture the committed relationships that God has given them, devoting time and energy to their relationships with friends, members of their families, spouses or partners.
Mission and Service
The conversion of our hearts as we seek to follow Christ and abide in his love bears fruit in mission and service. Through prayer and consultation with others, members endeavor to discern ways of using their gifts, abilities and interests in the service of others.
As the Society acts in the Name of Christ,
wherein the Beloved Disciple found it his joy to live,
so should it be our endeavor to draw others
into the fellowship of the same love
which is the stimulating principle of our own life.
Richard Meux Benson,
Founder of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Blessings, my friend,
Agatha