Chapter 62: The priests of the monastery
When ordained a monk must be careful to avoid a spirit of self-importance or pride and he must avoid taking on himself any duties to which the abbot has not assigned him.
(From para. 1 of Ch. 62 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
Self-importance and pride are two of the kinds of thoughts I must lay aside if I'm to stay true to the Christ-life within me.
Chittister's last sentence in her commentary on this chapter, "It is so easy to take on a role in life with its trappings and privileges-doctor, judge, nun, monk, mother, teacher...and to lose, therefore, our own chance to be fully alive," makes me reflect. The view I have of my own role(s)is riddled with a deep-down feeling that I should have more privilege, more recognition etc. I see the false humility that becomes glaringly evident. This brings me to my meditation seat, and to the ground of my being where "nothing" happens, no privilege, no recognition, just the Cross, and an open heart.
ReplyDelete