Chapter 44: The reconciliation of those excommunicated
Anyone who is excommunicated from the refectory only for a less serious fault should perform the same act of reparation in the oratory until permitted to cease; the superior brings this penance to an end by giving a blessing and saying 'that is enough'.
(From para. 2 of Ch. 44 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
To me, this is the beauty of reparation: the recognition of "enough", and the reality of forgiveness.
This chapter for me is a Holy Week chapter. Judas excommunicates himself from the table of his own accord to betray the one who loves him. He could have turned back and asked for forgiveness like Peter who also betrayed but wept bitterly with tears of repentance. A lesson for me is that love always waits for a return. How long is the time before I have had "enough" of ego selfishness and arrogance to turn around and come back to the community table?
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