Frank R. Fisher, Obl OSB
God's Oblation 12/25/2009
 
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"If it happen that a nobleman offereth his son to God in the monastery and the boy is of tender age, let his parents execute the written promise which we have mentioned above; and with the oblation let them wrap that document and the boy's hand in the altar cloth and thus offer him.

As to their property, let them bind themselves under oath in the same document that they will never give him anything themselves nor through any other person, nor in any way whatever, nor leave a chance for his owning anything; or else, if they refuse to do this and want to make an offering to the monastery as an alms for their own benefit, let them make a donation to the monastery of whatever goods they wish to give, reserving to themselves the income of it, if they so desire. And let everything be so barred that the boy remain in no uncertainty, which might deceive and ruin him (which God forbid) -- a pass we have learned by experience.

Let those who are poor act in like manner. But as to those who have nothing at all, let them simply make the declaration, and with the oblation offer their son in the presence of witnesses." - Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 59.

    This is one of the chapters that is the basis for Oblates. In Benedict's time a younger child of the nobility, or the child of the poor, would be offered to the monastery. The child was expected to follow the rule. When that child became of age, the child could decide if he or she was to continue in the monastic life. Today, Oblates offer themselves to God and promise to follow the rule as their way of beginning their life with God.

    At this time of the year we remember the offering of another Child, the only begotten Child of God who came to earth as a helpless baby. In time this Child offered himself up for us sundered the barrier of death, and reconnected a broken humanity with the Creator.  It is unlikely that Jesus' birth happened on this day.  Many think Christ's birth actually occurred in the Spring, the time when new born lambs would require shepherds to remain in the field with their flocks.

    In the end of course, the time of Jesus' birth does not matter. What does matter is that the Noblest One of all cared enough for us to allow this birth to happen, to allow, if you will, an oblation to humanity; a promise that God would not the separation we created with God to remain. To this, all one can say is may eternal praise, and eternal thanks, be given to God.
 
 
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    "Of Brethren Who Work a Long Distance from the Oratory or Are on a Journey"

    "The brethren who are at work too far away, and cannot come to the oratory at the appointed time, and the Abbot hath assured himself that such is the case -- let them perform the Work of God in the fear of God and on bended knees where they are working. In like manner let those who are sent on a journey not permit the appointed hours to pass by; but let them say the  office by themselves as best they can, and not neglect to fulfil the obligation of divine service" - Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 50.
                   
    I have to admit my career as an interim pastor does not make me an ideal Benedictine. St. Benedict wanted his monks to be stable, to stay, live, and die in one place; in one community. But the high stacks of packing boxes surrounding me at this moment, show that this interim call will soon end.  I am off on the road again after December 27th. This time I am looking for my seventh interim pastorate.

    Early in my time as an Oblate, I was wrestling with this fact with a fellow Oblate. "Should I simply find one congregation and stay there for the rest of my life," I wondered aloud. "But if I do that, I know quite well I will be entering a life that does not suit me. I am a wanderer, a pilgrim if you wish, in the depths of my heart." My brother in Benedict simply smiled and said, "but your stability is to your profession."

    Suddenly it all made sense. And it has brought me to contemplation of Chapter 50 of Benedict's Rule. I am almost always too far away from the Oratory (chapel) to join in the hours of prayer. But I can join in them, and in the reading of the rule, wherever I am at the time.  In a sense I revolve around the abbey, connected by lines of prayer, work, and study. There are times when the tug of those lines is too strong, and I must go home and live for even a short while in the midst of my community. After that recharge of my spirit, I am once again ready to begin wandering.

    There may be some others of you who read this who have lives who are in someway rootless. Perhaps your circumstances or your profession has stopped you from joining a spiritual community. If that is so, simply look to the google search bar on this page, and begin searching under abbey, oblate, monk, nun, and your own geographical location. Once you've found a listing, go physically and check it out. If it is not the place where your heart, to quote John Wesley, is "strangely warmed," start the processs over again and continue it until you find your spiritual home. And if by any chance you live near Peoria, Illinois, I can save you some searching. Just check out http://www.SBAbbey.com. You will find a warm welcome there

PAX,

Brother Oscar Romero, Obl OSB