Chapter 37: Care for the elderly and the young
Human nature itself is drawn to tender concern for those in the two extremes of age and youth, but the authority of the Rule should reinforce this natural instinct. Their frailty should always be given consideration so that they should not be strictly bound to the provisions of the Rule in matters of diet. (From Ch. 37 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)
Jean Vanier, the founder of L'Arche, built his communities for mentally handicapped persons around the Gospel message of putting the weakest members at the center of society. I find this beautifully lived out as I have the privilege of being an "assistant" to the "core members" of a L'Arche community. Over time, in practicing the mantra I've become ever more alert to the call of frailty.
“Exceptions are the way of life and when they are not, something is wrong with life itself, Benedict reasons.” (Joan Chittister). Abba, you are a God of exceptions. You have made me one of those wonderful exceptions just as you have made every child and every one of your creatures, down to the smallest particle in your universe, a unique individual. You have never made nor ever will make a clone. Father, save me from my perfectionistic rigidity that too often ignores your love.and wants to put people, including myself, in boxes.
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