An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say...

   - 2 Timothy 2.5, 6

Now after learning the canon of the Old and New Testaments, Brendan wished to write out and learn the rules of the saints of Erin. Bishop Erc gave him leave to go and learn this rule, for he knew that it was of God that this counsel had come to him.

   - Vita Brendani, Irish, 16th century from and earlier ms.

Everybody lives by some set of rules or disciplines or routines that gives guidance and direction to his life.

For most of us, these are not written down. We’re hardly even conscious of them or of how they affect our daily lives. We’ve merely picked them up as we’ve gone along, and they’ve worked pretty well for us so far.

The problem with most of our rules of life, however, is twofold: they don’t include enough guidance for the strengthening of our souls, and we have little incentive to do anything other than bend them when the going gets tough.

Which is why I think it’s important to establish a personal rule of discipline, first of all, to give guidance and structure to the development of our spiritual lives, and, secondly, to chart a path of growth and service for everything else we hope to accomplish.

Bishop Erc was pleased when God put it on young Brendan’s heart to study how the saints of Ireland before him had structured their lives and worked to ensure growth in their souls and service to others. He believed God had put this in his heart, because he understood a very basic principle of effective life and ministry: When you covenant with God, and with others who care for your soul, according to a specific regimen of disciplines, objectives, and activities, the likelihood is greater that you will realize marked growth in every area of your life.

This is what we mean by living to rule. We set a rule of disciplines, make a covenant with God, share it with others, and invite them to support, encourage, and hold us accountable along the way.

The story of Brendan’s life and exploits was so beloved in medieval Europe that 125 manuscripts in three languages have survived to repeat it to this day. Will our lives be sufficiently well-disciplined to leave a story others will want to hear?

Psalm 84.5-7 (Holy Manna: “Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”)
Blest are they whose strength is founded in Your strength, O Lord above.
All whose hearts in You are grounded journey in Your strength and love.
Though they weep with tears of sadness, grace shall their way sustain;
In Your presence, filled with gladness, they shall conquer all their pain.

Lord, rule my life to love You with all my soul and strength, and my neighbor as myself. Adapted from Columbanus, Monks’ Rule