Chapter 7: The value of humility (paragraph 15)
The eighth step of humility teaches us to do nothing which goes beyond what is approved and encouraged by the common rule of the monastery and the example of our seniors. (Para. 8 of Ch. 7 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
Is St. Benedict discouraging personal initiative? As I consider Benedict's teaching, I realize that such discouragement is not the point. Benedict is teaching me to consider my respect of tradition and the guidance of elders. This kind of respect and guidance may teach my heart to be selfless -- selfless enough to embrace the community (and all of creation), and not just look out for myself.
How profoundly it hits me to realize that Benedict here is not in the least exaggerating when he tells me that the truly humble person—which I aspire to become-- “ . . . IN HIS INMOST SOUL BELIEVETH, THAT HE IS THE LOWEST AND VILEST OF MEN . . .”. Yes, Abba, but for your grace, I, too, have been and still am capable of becoming a mass murderer, a Hitler or a Stalin or a Judas Iscariot or my worst enemy.
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