Washington National Cathedral

Dr. Greg Finch

Counting silverware is not a punishment. It is a perpetual, inescapable reminder that how we do what we do matters as much as what we do.

The way of Benedict cheers us on toward an everyday, lived-in holiness experienced in the most mundane of tasks—folding the laundry, reading the spreadsheets, mowing the lawn, waiting in traffic, paying the bills, and yes, counting the silverware. Revealed in spoons and forks, laundry baskets and faxes, dental appoints and telephone on-hold queues, and a thousand more of the mundane accessories and routines of everyday life, Benedictine spirituality insists that sacredness is woven throughout, and in fact, is intensified through its very partnership with “everydayness.”

Of late, the gleaming silverware tray in my kitchen drawer is serving as a Benedictine laboratory for balanced living. Utensil by utensil I am learning to experience the tangible, focused expression of daily, practical stability infused with divine purpose. Cook, entertain, clean, put away, repeat—with wakened intention that invites awareness of the sacred in every act.

Counting silverware is becoming a valued discipline as I continue learning to navigate this spinning world with a Benedictine compass. It allows me to reflect upon how hospitality is being increasingly expressed in my life. In creating my life rule and reflecting upon it over recent months I set out to invite more guests into my home, expanding my Benedictine rhythms of hospitality.

Aligning the forks, tine to tine, allows moments to reflect upon the great meals experienced and conversations shared. Rubbing off water spots affords grateful awareness that I have a roof above my head and food in the refrigerator. Stacking knives allows me to enjoy a few, oddly satisfying moments of non-clamor as work of the hands replaces work of the head. And counting spoons reminds me of abundance—friends, family, and shared meals, and it also reminds me of my responsibility to help provide abundance for those without spoons or a drawer to keep them in.

And every now and then, I catch a reflection of myself in my spotless spoon. I like what I see—a calmer, gentler, more ordered man.

The lessons gained from this tiny wooden school-box of learning, extend well beyond the kitchen. The power of the exercise rests both in its simplicity and its transferability. Now, in the midst of a traffic jam I increasingly find myself reflecting, “Greg, count the silverware.” Wading through the nest of emails on a given morning I imagine the living person on the other end of this electronic web and express gratitude and speak a word of blessing, “Greg, count the silverware.” Wringing my hands over the perception of too much to do and too little to do it with I am reminded that there is always enough for those who share a meal. “Greg, count the silverware.”

Counting silverware is not a punishment. It is a perpetual, inescapable reminder that how we do what we do matters as much as what we do. In the midst of every task, every meditation, every prayer service, every traffic jam, every apartment and workplace, every act of work or charity, every checking account, every tax return prepared, dish washed, argument exchanged, meal served, and guest entertained, Benedict insists that the Holy can, and is meant to be, experienced in the unremarkable. The lives that most of us lead.

Practically, and I suspect more often than perfectly for most of us, Saint Benedict points to a life way that rinses dusty reality with clear and sparking intention. The call is to embrace all of our lives as sacred and all of our tasks as small altars of communion.

This afternoon, as I turn my attention to a new task, working with a colleague to get this update online and then final preparations for Benedictine Life and Prayer this evening, followed by a quick stop at the grocery store, I am just now remembering that last night I set the dishwasher to run while I slept.

It looks like another opportunity to count the silverware.

Peace on the journey, Greg

P.S. A joyful update on our Haitian friend Endjina

In the days following the earthquake in Haiti, Sharon Minor King offered us an opportunity to support Endjina, a young Haitian woman and student of Sharon’s who is studying to become a pediatrician at University of Maryland Baltimore Campus. Several members who had financially supported Endjina perished in the quake and her graduation was in doubt. Sharon chose to do something and solicited funds for Endjina through the Community and other networks.

With great joy, here is an email received from Sharon this week!

Hello: I thought you might want to know our work was not in vain...Endjina will graduate this Monday...PRAISE THE LORD!!! Thanks for your support...and may God continue to bless your giving nature...lovingly, Sharon, AkuA...