Chapter 44: The reconciliation of those excommunicated
They should in complete silence simply lay their heads on the ground before the feet of all the community coming out of the oratory and stay there until the superior judges that they have done enough in reparation. (From para. 1 of Ch. 44 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
St. Benedict tells me that true reconciliation, and enough reconciliation, is accomplished at the deepest of levels, in humble silence, in my heart.
"One who for serious faults is excommunicated
ReplyDeletefrom oratory and table shall make satisfaction" I guess this is the reason why one of the elements of monkhood is conversion. To continually get up each time I fall and make amends each time I sin is an ingredient for a life of love.