Chapter 2: Gifts needed by an abbot or abbess (paragraph 1)
Anyone who aspires as abbot or abbess to be superior of a monastery should always remember what is meant by the title and fulfil in their monastic life all that is required in one holding the office of monastic superior. (From para. 1 of Ch. 2 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
It seems to me that holding an office can be done in an "official" or even "officious" way, but what's required of me, in the office of parent, teacher, caregiver, friend, is to be authentic. Being authentic rules out "acting superior". Truly caring for others requires a recognition of my own frailties, so that I can be compassionate towards others. Being open to reality provides a stable base for me and those others who are open to growth.
It seems to me that holding an office can be done in an "official" or even "officious" way, but what's required of me, in the office of parent, teacher, caregiver, friend, is to be authentic. Being authentic rules out "acting superior". Truly caring for others requires a recognition of my own frailties, so that I can be compassionate towards others. Being open to reality provides a stable base for me and those others who are open to growth.
It is so easy to default into hypocrisy in any of my official capacities including being parent, grandparent, elder sibling, spouse or spiritual leader—too ready to point out the speck in another‘s eye and ignore the log in my own. Heal my blindness, Abba.
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