Dialogue with the Economy

Dialogue with Economy

Sister Edith Bogue, O.S.B.Duluth Benedictine Oblates

17 January 2016

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Horarium Midday Prayer Introductions Upcoming Events

• Call to Holiness Day of Prayer, 30-31 January• Solemnity of St. Scholastica, 9 February• Oblate Meetings 14 February (Family) and 13 March (Self)• Carol Lee Flinders, Rebalancing the World

7:30pm 18 February, Mitchell Auditorium• Oblate Retreat with Susan Stabile, 9 April – Register early

Conference Discussion Fellowship and Refreshments

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DIALOGUE

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Dialogue: A term and practice we invoke when we already

recognize different viewpoint and ideas.

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Debate vs Dialogue Debate presumes winning and losing. Debate does not seek understanding,

common ground or compromise. Debate does not listen well. Debate is for influencing minds of others. Debate is the common model in our culture.

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Contemplative Dialogue

Greynun.org, "Contemplative Dialogue"

• The roots of the word dialogue come from the Greek words dia and logos. • dia means “through”• logos translates to “word” or “meaning.”

• In essence, a dialogue is a flow of meaning.

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Contemplative DialogueGreynun.org, "Contemplative Dialogue"

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plative_dialogue_offerings0.aspx

• The purpose of dialogue is to create ‘shared meaning’ or coherence in a group.• The challenge of

dialogue is to simply allow multiple points of view to be.

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DIALOGUE WITH THE ECONOMY

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Ancient Economy Trade of goods is known throughout history.• "Standard of Ur" from about 2500 BCE

Development of "surplus" fostered the growth of cities and of specialized roles (priest, king)

The Standard of Ur

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Ancient Economy Violence related to goods and property. Surplus allowed growth of both a military

and a religion. Both were related to hope for prosperity.

The Standard of Ur, ca 2500 BCE

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Buying, Selling, Borrowing Ancient records attest to

promises of sale. Ancient coins usually bear a

mark of a ruler or king: his authority is behind the coin.(Coins of Herod Antipas)

Ancient trade records and alsostories of conflict attest to borrowing and lending.

Biblical stories show evidenceof legislation against usury.

Coins of Herod Antipashttps://upload.w

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Economy in Scripture Cain and Abel • "specialized" labor

Joseph • Sold as a slave• As overseer, in charge of planning• System of allocating stores during famine

Egypt – slavery, who provides materials? Canaan – "flowing with milk & honey" What others can you remember?

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Bishops Statement Compare Bishops' Statement with

Scripture stories Many common elements• Human dignity• Value of all work• Responsibility to work • Right to necessities of life

Differences • Right to work • Consideration of free markets & modern terms

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ECONOMY AND BENEDICT'S RULE

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Ora Labora: Et or Est?

St Benedict and the Rule, St. Meinrad Archabbey

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Importance of Prayer "Opus Dei" = Work of God "Liturgy" = public service, people's work• Greek leitourgos, minister (office)

leitourgia, public service, worship of the gods

• From Greek (Attic) leïton, public building (from Greek laos ,Attic leōs , people) + -ourgia -urgy

Prayer is "a work" BUT this does not mean that Work is Prayer

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How much work? For own needs? For what my

community needs? To have something

to sell to supportourselves?

To have something to give for the needs of others?

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Many Works What we give may

be concrete – foodor shelter.

It may be a skillor training.

It may be a kindword or a prayer.

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Care of Property (Ch 31) The one in charge of property has first

concern for the good of people• Community, Sick, Pilgrims

Regard the utensils and goods as thoughthey are vessels of the altar.• Christ is recognizes in everyone and so

the goods they need are serving Christ

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Inventory of Property (Ch 32)The Abbess shall keep a list of these articles, so that as the sisters succeed one another in their assignments she may know what she gives and what she receives back.

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The Power of Property (Ch 33) Let no one presume to give or

receive anything without the Abbot's leave, or to have anything as his own-- anything whatever, whether book or tablets or pen or whatever it may be-- since they are not permitted to have even their bodies or wills at their own disposal.

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The Risk of Ego (Ch 57, (Ch 57, The Artisans) But if any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft, because he seems to be conferring a benefit on the monastery, let him be taken from his craft and no longer exercise it unless, after he has humbled himself, the Abbot again gives him permission.

Image by Sister M

arcy Charles McGough

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The Risk of Authority (Ch 65)If it should be found that the Prior has serious faults, or that he is deceived by his exaltation and yields to pride, or if he should be proved to be a despiser of the Holy Rule, let him be admonished verbally up to four times. If he fails to amend, let the correction of regular discipline be applied to him. But if even then he does not reform, let him be deposed from the office of Prior and another be appointed in his place who is worthy of it. And if afterwards he is not quiet and obedient in the community, let him even be expelled from the monastery.

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DIALOGUE WITH THE ECONOMY

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What about today? What are the

economic pressures of our culture?

What constrains or shapes our work?

Our leisure? How can we be

Benedictine inthis setting?

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DIALOGUE WITH THE ECONOMY