Chapter 55: Clothing and footwear for the community (paragraphs 1-2)
The community must not be too sensitive about the colour and quality of this clothing; they should be content with what is available in the locality at a reasonable cost. However the superior should see to it that the garments are not short and ill-fitting but appropriate to the size and build of those who wear them. (From para. 1 of Chap. 55 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
What should be my concern with putting on garments? Certainly not a superficial individuality nor a possessiveness and accumulation. Rather, let me be simple, functional, grateful and kind in the choices I must make.
What a vast gap exists between my needs and my wants. You, Abba, always give me what I need though, like any good parent, not always what I want. My connection with you in meditation in the now, in the present moment, is teaching me how to want what I have, and leave my other wants up to you and your love and mercy. And, when I do this, like the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, you clothe me far better than Solomon and provide for me far better than my wildest dreams.
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