For those unfamiliar with it, the term ‘Rule of Life’ can conjure up images of rigid legalism and a strict existence that does little to reflect the freedom and liberation we say is found in being a follower of Jesus. Such an understanding does not do the concept of a rule any justice though.
A good Rule of Life is something that does not work against freedom and liberation; instead it should promote them and move our lives towards them. This is the aim of the Commoners Rule of Life*. We believe that freedom and liberation are found in our communion with God and others and when our being, like Christ’s, is focused towards, and driven by those two things. This desire is reflected in the great commandments spoken by Jesus and drawn from the law of the scriptures of ancient Israel – to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbour as ourselves.
To this end, the Commoners Rule of Life provides a framework of practice we can follow in order to give God space to shape us. Through practising it and being motivated by a desire to be more like Jesus, we open our lives to God’s grace – allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us. In so doing we subvert a world that works to shape us in its image. In the world many of us dwell in that’s a world that drives us to consume, focus on our own pleasure at the expense of others and to have and do more. The life of a Commoner subverts that and seeks to push against it, pointing to another way and the in-breaking of another world where the values are vastly different. By living out the Commoners Rule of Life we seek to be part of and demonstrate the values of that other world – a world shown to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus himself.
The life of a Commoner follows 7 principles expanded on in the Rule of Life:
1) Immersion in the mystery of Christ through word, sacrament and service
2) Living a common (communal) life
3) Prayer
4) Fasting
5) Accountability
6) Service and witness for justice
7) Adopting a pilgrim identity
If you wish to read and live out the Commoners Rule of Life, download it in PDF format here and sign up to get Commoners updates to the right. If you do decide to live the Commoners Rule of life we would encourage you to invite others to do so as well, form a Commoners Band (small group) using the Guide for Common Bands and when you’re ready, let us know what the journey is like for you. This is a community that transcends geography and if you’re living out the Commoners Rule of Life, you’re part of that community.
* The Commoners Rule of Life is adopted and adapted from Way of the Culdee, a draft amplified Rule of Life for Culdees of the Columba Centre. The original document can be found here.