Chapter 71: Mutual obedience in the monastery
Any monk or nun who is corrected for anything by abbot or abbess or one of the seniors and perceives that the senior is upset by feelings of anger, even though they may be well in control, then that junior should at once prostrate on the ground in contrition and not move until the senior gives a blessing which will heal the upset.
(From para. 1 of Ch. 71 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
How does this translate into my life? Perhaps I can get better at saying, "I'm sorry to see that you're angry." And, "Can we forgive each other?"
"Obedience is a blessing" and as we know "obedience" has as its root, "listening". In meditation we are called to attentive listening, deep, and sure and loving although we may not realize it at the time of meditation. This meditation practice helps me to listen to others because the "ears of the heart" are hopefully already opened straining to hear the Voice among the voices of many.
ReplyDelete