Rule of Life – A Radical Move Towards Christ
By Peggy Sue Mutchler
Program and Events Coordinator
The Light of Christ has appeared. A new calendar year has dawned — a time when many resolve to do better, to make a change, to get their act together, to eat better, to exercise — great for your body, but what about a renewal of your soul? Have you thought about a spiritual change? How can you grow closer to Christ this year? How can you harness that glow of Christ and let His light shine in you and through you?
“Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.” -Isaiah 60:1
During Advent, we prepare our hearts to receive Christ, but what about now? Now that the busyness of the holidays, gift giving, and gatherings is over, where do I direct my exhausted self? I don’t know about you, but I want to rest in the Lord. I desire to surrender all to Christ.
“I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.” -Galatians 2:20
Over the past several weeks, my family experienced a wildfire, a wind-torn landscape, a tragic deer/truck collision, a wisdom teeth extraction, no power for several days in an all-electric home without heat, water restrictions, and three under-the-weather girls. On the flip side, we truly are blessed to have a house, running water to miss, two college kids home on break, two children’s birthdays, the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Most Holy Eucharist, Christmas Mass, the generosity of friends, and the witnessing of open hearts to those in need. I would rather focus on the latter, as that is where the light of Christ is the most obvious. However, the hidden Christ is in the suffering, beckoning us to depend on Him, to draw us closer to His heart through our trials. That is the true blessing, and it is my responsibility to respond to His grace.
“Working together with Him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” -2 Corinthians 6:1
Years ago, before my life ever began, my parents were traveling from Montana across South Dakota on their way home to Iowa. While passing through the Black Hills area, my Mom, an adventurous soul, noticed a road sign for Bethlehem Cave. From my family’s perspective of traditional stories told, the conversation went something like this:
“Elmer. I want to go see where that Bethlehem Road leads,” exclaimed my Mother.
A side glance of ‘NO’.
“Elmer, turn around. I want to see.”
Silence.
“Elmer . . .”
My Dad was one of few words, but full of gentle wisdom. When he spoke, people listened. However, in this moment, I can only presume it was dead silent as my Dad quickly made a sharp U-turn on the highway, now called the interstate — laundry baskets of clothes and powdered detergent went flying across the station wagon; and, I imagine, my five siblings went flying too! They returned to the Bethlehem Road turnoff and followed it up to a remote location, known as ‘The Shrine of the Nativity’—this unique Catholic chapel was within a cave.
They visited and left.
My Mother, happy; my Dad, Elmer, could not get this Sanctuary off his mind or his heart.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.” -Psalm 37:5
A quick background for context: After high school, my Dad worked for JF Anderson Lumber Company in Trent, South Dakota. He was drafted into the Army in 1952, married my Mother in 1953, and then was stationed in Korea. When he came back from the war, he was promoted to manager of this same lumberyard in South Dakota. Soon, JF Anderson Lumber Company asked him to remodel and manage a lumberyard in Nashua, Iowa. He agreed to the new job and the move — my parents were headed back home to Nashua when my Mom saw the sign for Bethlehem Road.
After visiting this cave in the Black Hills, Elmer wrote the cave staff a letter and asked if they, at the cave, could use the service of a married man with five kids. They said, “Come ahead.”
My Dad quit his management job at the top lumberyard company in Iowa and moved to the Black Hills to become a missionary at Bethlehem Cave in Bethlehem, South Dakota.
Trust. Complete surrender to the will of God, to do the will of God.
We have that chance, to surrender, to start fresh. With the new start of 2026, why not start anew with Christ?
“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” -Romans 12:1
I want to have that same kind of surrender and trust in the Lord that my Dad had.
This year, I pray that Christ will give me the grace to trust Him fully, to put my life in His hands, and to follow His timing instead of my own. I hope to live with that conviction in Christ, knowing He can draw good from everything.
“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” -Romans 8:28
How? How to live with this kind of surrender? How can we humble ourselves in such a way that we are able to empty ourselves out and live fully for Christ? One way, as Catholics, we are blessed with the Sacraments. One sacrament, in which we do get another chance, is Reconciliation. With every trip into the confessional, we walk out with a new perspective on life. We have been washed clean; restored. God is so merciful. But, did you know, there is also an additional way, a way to help us stay whole and with a new heart . . . this way is to adopt a Rule of Life.
This new year, let’s focus on our relationship with Christ and live renewed with a Rule of Life.
Did you know that God has eternally desired you to be filled with His life and love, the only gift capable of satisfying the profound depths of the human soul? Have you encountered this kind of love of God? If not, let us try. We truly are meant to move towards God, to orient our whole life around Him; to praise, to love, to serve Him with our hearts. This empowers us to live this life to the fullest – we must pursue union with Him forever, and this is where the Rule of Life comes in.
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” -Philippians 4:6-7
What is a “Rule of Life”?
Rule of Life: a deliberate way of living in a relationship with God that includes specific commitments to things you do every day to love God and those around you.
The Rule of Life originates with the Desert Fathers, like Saint Benedict, who happens to be the patron saint of caves.
So, start by rallying the troops — in other words, don’t try to do this Rule of Life on your own. Ask God for guidance.
You want to guide your soul toward God; whether alone or with the support of others, your purpose will be to grow in love and become closer to God. You want to focus your heart and mind on God each day, to stay alert, and grow in virtue.
Pray to God and ask Him to reveal to you concrete ways in which you can grow closer to Him. Here are a few examples of living a Rule of Life:
- Say “yes” to God every day, like Mary.
- Set time aside daily for mental prayer.
- Attend daily Mass—remember the Holy Eucharist is food for our souls and the source and summit of our Faith.
- Frequent Reconciliation
- Ascesis (discipline): self-sacrificial love offered to God.
- Nightly Examen Prayer—review your day with God: when did you walk with Him, when did you walk away? Resolve a plan with God to do better with His help tomorrow.
Basically, each day you will live as a friend of Christ – praying faithfully, receiving His grace, and showing His love for others. The Rule is to live in union with Christ through daily prayer, the sacraments, and little acts of love. The Goal is to become a living reflection of Christ in the ordinary duties of life.
“We love because He first loved us . . .” -1 John 4
My Dad was able to open his mind and his heart to Christ. I wish I had asked him how he discerned this move—from management to missionary. I never did ask and won’t ever have that chance, but by my Dad’s example, I have learned that trusting in the Lord might mean giving up comfort for uncertainty, and that is okay, as the Lord will provide. Trust.
“Jesus, I surrender myself to You. Take care of everything. I trust in Your will and Your love. -Amen”
