raven read

Obedience and humility are the two virtues most ignored in a world where being rebellious and proud is valued. Yet, these exact attributes are what form a loving and caring community where one’s mind, body and soul can thrive. Through obedience we bring order to chaos and through humility we bring love and selflessness to a life of greed. St. Benedict and his students painted a beautiful picture of harmony by bringing these virtues at the center of their monastic lives. In the chronicles of these extraordinary men and women, we get a glimpse of how we can transform our earthly lives and get a glimpse of heaven. A miracle that involves two lesser known saints tells us the importance and impact of obedience and humility.

After St. Benedict fled Rome and settled in Subiaco, many nobles started to bring their sons to him to be educated. Among these first disciples were Maur and Placid who were young men, learning at the feet of the master. One day Benedict had a vision that young Placid fell into the lake as he fetched water. The strong waters of the lake swept Placid out. Immediately, Benedict asked Maur to go save his fellow disciple. Maur obeyed his master without hesitation and took off to rescue Placid at once. Without realizing it, Maur walked on water to bring Placid back on shore. Once safe on the land, Maur attributed this miracle to Benedict’s command and in return Benedict gave the credit to Maur’s obedience. To settle the matter, Placid recounted that he saw the abbot’s goatskin over his head as he was being pulled out of the water. 

While the race for humility is settled in the master’s favor, this simple yet life-saving account of a miracle is a lesson to us all who are trying to build a life-giving community where we all at once rush to help each other. Maur’s obedience to his master and love for his brother disciple paved the way to a singular miracle, the like of which was recorded in the Scriptures. St. Peter also obeyed the command of his Master who beckoned His student to a life of impossibles. As long as Peter moved in obedience and kept his eyes on the Lord, the deep dark waters were no threat to him. As soon as he took his eyes off Christ, he began to sink. While Peter’s walk on water was alone, Maur carried another in his arms, defying physics, not because of what he has done, but because of his master and his master’s Master. 

In this story, we find the building blocks of a community where we carry each other with love and selflessness as we trust the wisdom of those who came before us. This lesson can come alive in a family, in a school or in the entire society. As without obedience, humility and love, all will crumble into chaos where deep dark waters of doubt and loneliness will envelop us. 

Let us “listen and attend with the ear of [our] hearts,” as St. Benedict said, so that we can hear the command of the Master and carry each other over the dark waters of our times.

Sts. Maur and Placid, pray for us!