Vacare Deo

No one knew that Benedict was living in the cave except Romanus, until one day a priest
28 July 2025 discovered him through a voice he heard when he was about to eat. The voice said, "You
prepare fine food for yourself, while my servant Benedict is starving." The priest
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- immediately searched for Benedict, and when he found him, he received much spiritual
advice from Benedict. After that, Benedict began to be known by many people, and they
came to him for counsel and spiritual guidance.

Near the place where Benedict was living as a hermit, between Tivoli and Subiaco, there
was a place called Vicovaro. There was a community of monks there, whose leader had
recently passed away. They urged Benedict to replace him and become their leader.
Benedict implemented strict discipline and a rigorous way of life for the monks there,
which caused resentment among them. They plotted to kill Benedict by poisoning a bottle
of wine. However, when Benedict made the sign of the cross, the bottle of wine
St. Benedict Abbas – Firm in Rejecting Temptation immediately shattered. Benedict then left that place and returned to his hermitage in the
““Watch and pray, so that you do not fall into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh cave.
is weak.” (Mat 26:41)
Shortly after Benedict returned, many monks came to him. Benedict then divided them
Biography of St. Benedict Abbas into 12 monastic communities and guided them in the way of life and spiritual discipline.
St. Benedict was born in the town of Nursia, Italy, around the year 480 into a wealthy God continued to send many people to Benedict, and He worked many great things
farming family. He had a twin sister, St. Scholastica, who also became a saint of the Church. through him. However, this led to envy in a priest named Florentinus. He used various
When Benedict was in his teenage years (around the late 490s), his parents sent him to means to try to bring Benedict down, such as spreading slander, bringing prostitutes to
Rome for a more formal education. In Rome, Benedict was disappointed by what he saw Benedict’s monks, and even attempting to poison Benedict. But God continued to protect
in the city, as at that time, Rome had been conquered by the Goths, who brought with Benedict, sending a raven to take away the poisoned bread that Florentinus had sent. To
them a culture of barbarism and paganism (worship of many gods). Morality was declining, protect his fellow monks, Benedict ultimately decided to leave Subiaco and go to a remote
and atheism was spreading, even among the youth. area called Monte Cassino, on the border of Campania.

Seeing all of this, the young Benedict decided to leave the city of Rome and his education. At that time, the people of Monte Cassino still worshiped the ancient gods. On the peak
He and his caretaker moved to the village of Efide, in the mountains east of Rome, hoping of Monte Cassino, there was a temple dedicated to Apollo, where the locals still made
that Benedict could live in prayer and silence. It is unknown how long Benedict stayed in offerings. Benedict began his work there by fasting for 40 days before he began preaching,
that village. In this village, it is said that once, Benedict’s caretaker accidentally broke a converting many people, and performing many miracles. In the end, Benedict and the
piece of pottery he had borrowed. Out of love, Benedict miraculously repaired the pottery. converted locals tore down the temple of Apollo and built a monastery on its site (around
From that moment on, people began to come to him, and Benedict found himself losing the year 530).
time for prayer and living in silence.
Benedict resumed his life as a hermit at the monastery. However, not long after, his
Benedict then left his caretaker in the village of Efide and ventured further into the hills disciples and many other monks came to him. Benedict received them and gathered them
until he reached a place called Subiaco. There, Benedict met a monk named Romanus, in one place, with each community being led by an abbot under his supervision. Benedict
who was willing to help him live as a hermit. Romanus gave Benedict a sheepskin garment became increasingly famous for his holiness and wisdom, so much so that many laypeople
and led him to a cave in the mountains. In this cave, Benedict lived in prayer and silence and church leaders came to him for consultation and advice.
for three years. Every day, Romanus would send bread and water to Benedict using a
basket lowered by a rope through the rocks. It was at this time that Benedict began writing his rule (the Rule of Benedict), which
was originally intended for the monks living at the Monte Cassino monastery. Pope

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Hormisdas later requested that this writing be used as a guide for all monks in the West. again. Would we be brave enough to take such extreme measures when faced with
The rule provided guidance for those who wished to deny their own desires, instructions temptation? Or would we choose to give in?
on how to wear the bright armor of Jesus Christ, as well as a way of life that prioritized
prayer, spiritual reading, physical labor, and communal living under one leadership. Not only in these two events, but throughout his life, it is clear that St. Benedict never gave
the devil a chance to triumph. When poisoned, St. Benedict forgave those who acted
Benedict not only served and led the monks, but he also served the laypeople around wickedly towards him and did not repay evil with evil. When the solitude of his prayer life
the monastery and those who came to visit. He performed many miracles, such as healing was disturbed by the many people coming to him for advice, St. Benedict opened himself
the sick, offering comfort, and even raising the dead on more than one occasion. Benedict with love, understanding the worldly life they had to face at that time. When the
had great love for the people, and when a famine struck, he was willing to give away all community around the monastery faced a famine, St. Benedict refused to act selfishly and
the food supplies in the monastery, leaving only five loaves of bread for his entire even gave all his provisions to others.
community. Seeing their sadness, Benedict said, "You may not have enough food today,
but tomorrow you will have an abundance." The next day, a large amount of flour How to Overcome Temptation
appeared at the monastery gates for the monks, just as Benedict had foretold. In his writing known as the "Rule of Benedict," St. Benedict provides tips for his monks
(and for us) on how to overcome temptation:
Benedict prophesied many other things, including his own death. Six days before his
passing, Benedict asked the monks to dig his grave. After that, he fell ill, and on his final 1. Constant Awareness of God. Always remember that God sees all our actions and
day, he received the Body and Blood of Christ before passing away while standing on his understands our thoughts. This awareness helps us overcome disordered desires and
feet, with his arms raised upwards. Saint Benedict was buried next to the grave of his twin maintain purity of heart. (Chapter VII)
sister, Saint Scholastica, at the site of the former Apollo altar that he had destroyed. 2. Prayer and Sacred Scripture. Regular prayer and meditation on Scripture strengthen
the soul and provide powerful guidance in overcoming temptation. We must all
The example of St. Benedict in facing temptation. approach with humility and devotion, seeking God's help in facing the temptations of
Throughout his life, St. Benedict was not immune to temptations, even after this world. (Chapter XX, XLIX)
becoming a hermit. However, he demonstrated that even weak human beings could stand 3. Confession of Sins. Do not hide the sins we commit. Confess openly and honestly all
firm in rejecting these temptations through God's mercy, as seen in the following two our evil actions and thoughts to a spiritual leader (priest) so that the temptation does
events: not take root deeper in our hearts. (Chapter V, Chapter XLVI)
4. Humility. Cultivate humility by acknowledging our weaknesses and our dependence
• When St. Benedict was young and studying in the city of Rome, he faced a situation on God. Humility overcomes pride, which is often the root of other temptations.
where the morality of the youth had greatly declined, and atheism was rampant. St. (Chapter VII)
Benedict could have easily followed the "current" and abandoned the spiritual 5. Silence and Self-Control. Avoid idle chatter, excessive laughter, and other worldly
discipline he was living, with the excuse that "everyone is doing it." Isn't this often distractions, as these can lead to temptation. Silence strengthens the mind, helping it
the justification we use to sin? Yet, St. Benedict, even though he was still young and to stay more focused and disciplined. (Chapter VI)
had not yet become a hermit, chose to reject all of that and leave the great city to 6. Community Support. Seek advice and correction from a superior or other brothers
find silence and live a true life of prayer. (monks). Obedience and mutual support can help overcome the struggles in facing
• When he was a hermit living in the cave, St. Benedict was tempted by the devil with temptation. (Chapter LXXII)
lustful thoughts of a beautiful woman he had once encountered. This desire burned 7. Physical Work and Study. Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Keeping oneself busy with
in his heart, tempting him to leave his hermitage. However, with God's help, St. productive work and reading spiritual texts helps to control the mind and prevent it
Benedict overcame the temptation by throwing himself into a thorn bush and rolling from dwelling on harmful thoughts. (Chapter XLVIII)
in it until his body was in pain. Through this pain, he was able to drive away those 8. Patience in Facing Difficulties. Face challenges and hardships with patience and trust
thoughts and desires. From that moment on, he was never tempted in the same way in God’s plan. This builds resilience in resisting temptations that arise from frustration
or despair. (Chapter VII)

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9. Enthusiasm for Doing Good. Cultivate enthusiasm for prioritizing the needs of others, Sharing:
showing love and patience, and avoiding selfishness. This fosters a spirit of
compassion and prevents bitterness or jealousy. (Chapter LXXII)
1. Do you have any personal experience or special way of overcoming
10. Fasting and Self-Denial. Self-denial of food, sleep, or excessive comfort can discipline
temptations? Please share it.
the body and mind. This makes it easier for us to resist temptations. (Chapter XLIX)
2. Out of the 10 tips taught by St. Benedict, which one is the hardest for you to
follow? Which one is the easiest or one that you already practice?
Summary
3. Ask for God’s grace in prayer together in the cell, so that God may give us the
St. Benedict gives us an example of how to firmly reject temptation. Though human beings
strength to resist everyday temptations.
are weak, in the Rule of St. Benedict, he teaches that this weakness can be overcome with
self-discipline and closeness to God. Have we loved God so much that we do not want to
hurt His heart by giving in to the temptations that come our way? St. Benedict, pray for Written by D. Novi | EI |RM
us. Translated by Cindy | EI

Sources:
1. Hagiografi -Vacare Deo- Mei 2007: St. Benediktus, Abbas, Bapa dari rahib-rahib
modern.
2. https://www.saintbenedictorthodox.com/life-of-st-benedict (A Biography of St.
Benedict of Nursia)
3. Rule of St. Benedict (English version)

The rhema verse for this week

"Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the wellspring of life." (Amsal 4:23)

HTC Life Guideline No. 30:

"Do not think about or dwell on your past, except to remember the love of God that you
have received and to give thanks to Him. Also, to heal your soul if there are still emotional
wounds that haven't been healed, but this should only be as much as needed for healing.
After that, immediately return to living in the present moment, in the presence of God,
full of faith and love, living solely for the Lord."

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