"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men"

Rules taught by men will be pulled out by the roots. It's the basis for the blind to lead the blind. On why the disciples were breaking the rule or the tradition of washing hands before eating, Jesus replied that it is not that which make a person unclean but things that comes out of the mouth and of the heart.

We have to examinte the rules that we follow and decide if its from men or if its from the Lord. Do not be surprise that you are living some of them which hinders you heart from coming closer to God. Check your heart if its growing towards truth and affecting your love level beyond that of the Pharisee.

One rule that has definitely bring my heart closer to the Lord and helps me invest in making the biggest difference in others life is the Rule of St. Benedict. I've been impressed the first time I read it and have been ever since. It reflects an excellent balance of silence and work. It has helped in my appreciation and living out in community, of stewardship & voluntary poverty, of priority of God's word and the respectful way to treat all things living and not.

Why is it cool to me? Besides my bent towards everything monastic, its three vows of 1) stability, 2) fidelity to the monastic way of life and 3) obedience really resonates with me. Actually its generally how I see the Christian life to be. OK its also because I'm too chicken for the Franciscan's way (whose 3 vows of chasity, poverty and obedience)

By the way in case u don't know, I don't live in a monastry. I live in Block 921, Tampines Street 91.... and for those who like to think, I also don't worship the Saints. I honor those who are before me.