Chapter 29: The readmission of any who leave the monastery
Anyone who is guilty of serious wrong by the personal decision to leave the monastery but then asks to be received back again must first of all promise full reparation for leaving the monastery. (From Ch. 29 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
I'm intrigued by what "full reparation" might mean. Certainly each situation may have its own practical factors that need to be considered. But in general, I think full reparation means repairing harm to relationships.
Healing relationships, like dancing the tango, takes two. Members of a Community of Love are eager to seek and to give forgiveness. However, we interact with people who have not yet entertained the possibility that such a community is possible or even desirable. So perhaps all that we can do is our part in the work of healing and loving release the outcome to God.
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