November 24

Thanksgiving Day
Chapter 45


The Rule of Benedict November 24

I saw these instructions (aside from the last sentence) played out several times during my two weeks at St. Gregory's.  Almost every member of the community, including the Abbot, at one point or another, made a mistake on a Psalm tone or on a reading and immediately performed a small, quick genuflection toward the Superior.  This little action seemed to be the beginning and the end of the matter, and I felt it to be refreshing to have such a clear procedure for the addressing of mistakes rather than an muddled series of apologies and/or reprimands and/or passive-aggressive silence and/or cloying assurances.

As Benedict indicates, the issue for the offender is that of humility, which, in truth, needs not speak a word of excuse or defense.  And the issue for the Superior and community is that of holding the space for that humility to manifest without undue commentary or judgment.