One in Christ

For Benedict, everything is centered in this loving of Christ that has become our own loving and which establishes our identity as true Christians.  He writes, "Your way of acting must be different from the world's way; the love of Christ must come before all else" (Rule of St. Benedict, 4:20-21).  In other words, it is precisely inthe way that Christ's loving has become the center of our being that we are distinguieshed from the world, for all those who have not know or accepted Christ in faith.  Ultimately, it is the Father's love that finds expresssion in Christ and in all those who have come to know and appropriate that love because they are one with Christ.

from Cherish Christ Above All:  The Bible in the Rule of St. Benedict

by Demetrius Dumm, OSB