Chapter 2 pt. 6
The Rule of Benedict September 14
On first reading, this passage seems to advocate a way of being that is repulsive to my soul. My path to God involves the removal of my masks, not using them to "rule" others. But if I turn the focus from myself, the picture Benedict is painting here becomes clearer.
We have here not the putting of of airs but the transcendence of the ego on the part of the Superior. When one leads from consciousness, one does not need to be concerned with the egoic need for what appears "authentic", but can perceive the deep and true needs of the other. The varied postures the Superior assumes, then, flow from selfless and humble service to God and to the community.
I really appreciate your comment on this, Chad. The idea that our roles somehow inherently threaten our "authenticity" is an idea I am very interested in and one with deep historical roots.
ReplyDeleteObviously some roles are not good for us as individuals, and it's never good to put on airs or behave like a hypocrite (in the sense of being an actor, as you have in the past explained it to me). But there's another idea, one which I think St. Benedict reflects in his writing on the Superior - and even about monks in general - that a role imposes order, discipline, and expectations upon us in order to transform us into something better.
This is the classical/medieval concept of prudence, which basically referred to the process of intellection that helps us discern proper actions in light of our circumstances, including, of course, what roles we occupy. Prudent behavior has the potential not only to change us as individuals, but the world that we occupy. Through prudence we are empowered to seek and bring about accord between heaven and earth. Of course without the Christian virtues of hope, faith and love prudence - and the other cardinal virtues - were either useless or even destructive.
The idea of "authenticity" and "sincerity," by contrast, only became important in Western European culture in a time in which ideas about the nature of prudence were changing.
Very interesting indeed!
What a delightful light you shine on this, Ruth! Thank you for the lesson you so prudently offer as our resident historian : ).
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