Chapter 30: The correction of young children
There is a proper way of dealing with every age and every degree of understanding, and we should find the right way of dealing with the young.
(From Chapter 30 of Saint Benedict's Rule.)
(From Chapter 30 of Saint Benedict's Rule.)
I believe that the truly "proper way"of correction is the selfless way -- a way which guides my discernment of what is kind and appropriate. My ego, my anger, my harsh projections onto others, have no place here.
This is always the most difficult chapter for me. I kind of dread it when it comes around.
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or those who cannot understand the seriousness
of the penalty of excommunication,
whenever such as these are delinquent
let them be subjected to severe fasts
or brought to terms by harsh beatings,
that they may be cured."
How do I make meaning of this chapter?
"Every age and level of understanding should receive appropriate treatment." What is appropriate treatment? A "lectio" on a sermon by St.Augustine in the Sunday morning readings on David in the Old Testament gave me much food for thought. Taking St. Augustine's words and changing the pronouns to point to the self, I quote, I am "a hopeless creature, and the less (I) concentrate on (my) own sins, the more interested (I) become in the sins of others. (I) seek to criticize, not to correct. Unable to accuse (myself), (I) am ready to accuse others." And further, David did not concentrate on others' sins; "he turned his thoughts on himself. He did not merely stroke the surface, but he plunged inside and went deep down within himself." What is appropriate treatment? In order for correction to take place rather than criticism, a deep down self-scrutiny, "an opening and a breaking of the heart" has to take place as Fr. Laurence said at a retreat by living in the Spirit and leaving the self behind. This is the true power of our meditation practice.
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