A Homily for the Memorial of Saint Benedict
Friday, July 11, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 Mass
Proverbs 2:1-9; Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11; Matthew 19:27-29
Audio Recording
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Benedict, the Father of Western Monasticism. Like the Apostles, he began his ministry with nothing — completely relying on God. He lived as a hermit in a cave for three years.
After his time in solitude, Benedict founded twelve monasteries near Subiaco, Italy and later moved to Monte Cassino, where he built his most famous monastery and wrote the Rule of Saint Benedict. If you’re interested in reading the Rule for yourself, I’ll include a PDF version with this homily on my website: deaconscott.com.
Benedict’s Rule is still used as the rule of life for Benedictines today. It’s estimated that there are 300 Benedictine monasteries for men and over 1,400 communities for women worldwide, totaling around 1,700 Benedictine communities in over 50 countries, not to mention thousands of Benedictine oblates and affiliated lay communities worldwide. I have a special affection for the Benedictines in that I had my canonical retreat just prior to my ordination at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama where I experienced first hand the monks and their life of prayer. Absolutely beautiful.
The Rule of Saint Benedict is the foundational guide for these monastic communities. It emphasizes BALANCE, HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE, and above all, LISTENING. The first word of the Rule is “Listen”— which is Ausculta (ow-SKOOL-tah) in Latin. Benedict urges his followers to listen with the EAR OF THE HEART, a challenge that stands in contrast to the noise and distractions of modern life. His call is not merely to HEAR God’s Word, but to be SHAPED by it, allowing it to form every part of our lives.
We should ask ourselves today if we are truly being SHAPED by God’s Word? Are we taking time to truly listen to God in PRAYER, in SCRIPTURE, in SILENCE, and in THOSE AROUND US?
Today’s first reading from Proverbs tells us that if we search for wisdom “like hidden treasures,” we will find the knowledge of God. That’s exactly what Benedict did. He left behind the corruption of Rome to live a life of prayer, solitude, and work in the caves of Subiaco. But his withdrawal wasn’t escapism — it was a radical pursuit of simplicity and divine wisdom.
Benedict reminds us that WISDOM is not reserved for scholars. It’s found in DAILY FAITHFULNESS, in COMMUNITY, and in a LIFE CENTERED ON CHRIST.
One of Benedict’s greatest contributions is the BALANCE of prayer and work — ora et labora. His Rule teaches that holiness is not found in withdrawing from the world but in SANCTIFYING THE ORDINARY. The Benedictine monk encounters God not just in the Psalms but in the fields, in the kitchen, and in the halls of the monastery. Every task is an opportunity for grace.
So too for us — whether we are parents, professionals, students, or retirees — our work becomes holy when we offer it to God. Holiness isn’t just for church; it’s the way that we work, serve, and love each day.
Benedict also taught the importance of stability — remaining rooted in one community. In today’s world, where it’s easy to walk away when life gets hard, he calls us to persevere and grow in holiness through commitment and love for those around us. Our homes, families, parishes, and friendships are the “monasteries” where we learn patience, humility, and compassion.
In the Gospel today, Jesus promises that whoever gives up everything for His sake will receive a hundredfold more AND will inherit eternal life. Benedict and his followers believed that promise — and their lives bore great fruit.
Today, may we follow his example — LISTENING DEEPLY, WORKING FAITHFULLY, and LIVING HUMBLY. And may we ask Saint Benedict to intercede for us, that Christ may truly reign in our hearts and in our homes. May Benedict’s Rule help guide our modern lives with the same peace, wisdom, and devotion that shaped Western monasticism.
Saint Benedict, pray for us.
The Rule of Benedict
The Saint Meinrad Translation with an Introduction
Download the PDF