Chapter 2: Gifts needed by an abbot or abbess (paragraph 4)
They should not select for special treatment any individual in the monastery. They should not love one more than another unless it is for good observance of the Rule and obedience. (From para. 4 of Ch. 2 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
Saint Benedict describes for me a radical society based on not on status, but on mutual poverty of spirit. Observance of the Rule is a way of observing that I come into the world, and leave the world, with nothing except the grace of God. In between, obedience helps me to listen to the truth of God's unifying reality.
Benedict writes here about authority. He spoke and read and wrote in Latin. The word “authority” has the same etymological root as “author”. It comes from the Latin "augere: to make to grow or to increase." When I am an author or when I have any authority, therefore, I am called to be creative, in fact, a co-creator with you Abba, my Creator. As a parent or grandparent or teacher or authority of any kind, I am called to “author”. You give me the privilege of working side by side with you helping others grow and increase, to thrive. Abba, in getting my hands with you in the dirt of this garden of your love, it is your grace that makes my thumb greener and greener. What a gift! What fun to garden with you!
ReplyDeleteGrant me the grace to greet "the silent presence of your son" in each person I meet.
ReplyDeleteSt. Benedict gave premium to "...good observance of the Rule and obedience" and "... in good works and humility." The ego becomes inflated when a good work is done. Specially in the workplace where accomplishments and competition is consciously and unconsciously encouraged. A seemingly good work can make the ego even bigger. This part of the Rule is a beautiful reminder for me to do good works and through them become more humble, become more obedient, become more faithful in following and living the Rule.
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