May 24

Chapter 5 pt. 2

The Rule of Benedict May 24

Obedience is the framework of Benedict's vision of monastic life, and the greatest threat to his framework isn't defiant refusal to obey, but murmuring.  The activity of murmuring, or grumbling, establishes a realm of relationship that exists outside Benedict's framework, and, from the outside, attacks monastic life.  The monastery can handle legitimate complaints and even blatant disobedience within this framework, but not murmuring, which forms the heart of the murmurer into a place of conflict and deceit.  On the contrary, our desire is to be formed inwardly in such a way that frees us to listen to God and respond with joyful action.