WCCM Oblate Blog: Reflections from Daily Reading of the Rule of St. Benedict

WCCM Benedictine Oblates are encouraged to read a designated portion of the Rule daily, and to write a brief, personal response. I hope that this blog will support our Oblate community in this practice. Please, keep blog entries brief and in a first-person ("I") voice. Refrain from discussing, offering an opinion, or commenting on other entries. Simply consider how a particular section of the Rule is speaking to you in your present circumstances.

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Chapter 26: Unlawful association with the excommunicated

If any member of the community presumes without the permission of the abbot or abbess to associate in any way with or speak to or give instructions to one who has been excommunicated then that person should receive exactly the same punishment of excommunication. (Ch. 26 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Interior growth happens between an individual and God, and I must respect that precious space in myself and others. In doing so, I can become a more constructive presence in community.

1 comment:

Wally SaundersMarch 3, 2019 at 9:20 AM
My love is misguided when I prevent a loved one from suffering the natural consequences of their behavior. I had to learn this the hard way when raising two strong-willed teenagers. Keep me humble and always open to this lifelong learning, Abba.
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