The Rule of St. Benedict: Chapter 69
An unspoken assumption in this chapter provides a key to understanding its deepest meaning. The assumption is that God is the one against whom any act of defense is undertaken in a Benedictine community. Each member has handed himself over totally to being formed by God, a sacred pact that must not be compromised by even the best of intentions. Sr. Joan reflects,
In a life dedicated to spiritual growth and direction, there is no room for multiple masters. Friends who protect us from our need to grow are not friends at all. People who allow a personal agenda, our need to be right or their need to shield, block the achievement of a broader vision in us and betray us.
It takes profound trust and true discipline both to submit to being formed and to keep from acting in another's defense when we feel as though there is a need for protection or intervention on her behalf. None of us can do the hard work of another's formation. Each of us must entrust each other to the Master.
Br. Chad
If the trust part can be managed, the rest falls into place, in my experience. But learning to trust is such a profound obstacle! I am inclined very much to trust our community, but past experiences have this awful habit of lingering and giving rise to doubt/fear where otherwise there would be none. Frustrating, but there's gift in it, too--I'm forced to slow down and take everything in with greater consideration and prudence than I otherwise might, without taking any of the goodness of our community for granted. And that is a positive thing.
ReplyDelete