September 9

Chapter 2 pt. 1

The Rule of St. Benedict September 9

The religious superior is never to be his own counsel or authority and, in this way, holds the place of Christ who said, "not what I will, but what you will" to God, whom he called Abba (Mark 14:36).  His first task must be to listen for the will that finds its origin in God and not in himself.  This is the only way that his words can be a leaven of divine justice, or a vehicle by which the values and culture of God's household spreads throughout the community.

In this concluding metaphor, divine justice must be kneaded into the minds of the disciples.  I can see a baker, sleeves rolled up, covered in flour, working yeast into batch of dough.  Such kneading, it would appear, requires persistent and close contact between the superior and the members of the community.  It also requires a kitchen, a life structure in which the ingredients are accessible and the process has room to occur.

Br. Chad 2012