The monastery should, if possible, be so constructed that within it all necessities, such as water, mill and garden are contained, and the various crafts are practiced. Then there will be no need for the monks to roam outside, because this is not at all good for their souls. (Rule of Benedict, Chapter 66, The Porter of the Monastery)
Benedict didn't think it a good idea for monks to be "roaming outside," so the present shelter-in-place conditions would please him, I'm sure.
In our monastery, the daily schedule hasn’t changed at all. The most noticeable difference is that in
church and in the refectory we’ve modified our seating so as to keep as much distance as possible between us. But our weekday schedule is the same: Morning Prayer at 6:00, Breakfast at 6:50, Midday Prayer at 11:50 followed by lunch, 4:00 quiet reading, 5:00 mass, 6:00 supper, 6:45 Vespers, 7:15 recreation, 8:00 most of us are in our rooms. Since things like food shopping or driving our children to ballet lessons were never part of our life anyway, the restrictions aren’t as noticeable for us as they are for everyone else.
Right now I’m responsible for educating our two novices (new members of the community) in the spirituality and customs of the monastery. (Remember that monastic wisdom is simply gospel wisdom packaged in a slightly different way.) As we go through these principles, attitudes and practices I've noticed that many of them might be of value to anyone living in tight quarters with others right now, or might help a person to grow spiritually from the present challenges. So, here are a couple that my be of use to you.
The first is “restraint of speech.” While it’s important to communicate with one another (you must never use silence as a weapon), there are times, St. Benedict says, when even good words are better left unsaid out of respect for silence. You might try to become more aware of your speech -- how much, what you say, your tone of voice, and so on.
Another practice that Benedict encourages is “mutual obedience.” He says that obedience is a blessing that we monks owe to each other and not just to the superior. It’s another angle on putting aside what I want for what the other person or the group needs.
A final trait that St. Benedict shows in writing his Rule for Monks is one that you might do well to imitate is his wise assessment of the frailty and limitations of human nature. Life in community becomes much easier once you admit that you're not perfect and neither are any of your brothers or sisters, your superiors, your children, your students or anyone else. So, when someone gets on your nerves, it’s helpful to remember that love is often about putting up cheerfully with one another's shortcomings and weaknesses and trying to be of help to others.
If you notice, all of these ideas are applications of basic Gospel teachings. Monks simply try to live the gospel in a more obvious and emphatic way. The Coronavirus pandemic is offering everyone, not just monks, the challenge and the opportunity to do the same: To live the gospel in a more intense, emphatic way. Benedict tells us that God is everywhere (e.g. the workshop, and the refectory, as well as the chapel), and that Christ is present in every person (especially the poor, the very young, and the sick). So, no matter where the pandemic forces you to go, and no matter who it may force you to encounter, you can comfort yourself in knowing that God in Christ is there to be discovered and served. No crisis, no pandemic is bigger than the Universal Christ whom you meet in every situation and in every human being.
Benedict didn't think it a good idea for monks to be "roaming outside," so the present shelter-in-place conditions would please him, I'm sure.
In our monastery, the daily schedule hasn’t changed at all. The most noticeable difference is that in
Right now I’m responsible for educating our two novices (new members of the community) in the spirituality and customs of the monastery. (Remember that monastic wisdom is simply gospel wisdom packaged in a slightly different way.) As we go through these principles, attitudes and practices I've noticed that many of them might be of value to anyone living in tight quarters with others right now, or might help a person to grow spiritually from the present challenges. So, here are a couple that my be of use to you.
The first is “restraint of speech.” While it’s important to communicate with one another (you must never use silence as a weapon), there are times, St. Benedict says, when even good words are better left unsaid out of respect for silence. You might try to become more aware of your speech -- how much, what you say, your tone of voice, and so on.
Another help to getting along with others is surely the virtue of humility -- the honest, down-to-earth assessment and admission of the truth about myself, both the good and the bad. There’s this wise saying making the rounds these days that says “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” Benedict is big on putting your own wants second to the wants and needs of others. Any group of people who think this way will find it much easier to build a peaceful community.
Another practice that Benedict encourages is “mutual obedience.” He says that obedience is a blessing that we monks owe to each other and not just to the superior. It’s another angle on putting aside what I want for what the other person or the group needs.
A final trait that St. Benedict shows in writing his Rule for Monks is one that you might do well to imitate is his wise assessment of the frailty and limitations of human nature. Life in community becomes much easier once you admit that you're not perfect and neither are any of your brothers or sisters, your superiors, your children, your students or anyone else. So, when someone gets on your nerves, it’s helpful to remember that love is often about putting up cheerfully with one another's shortcomings and weaknesses and trying to be of help to others.If you notice, all of these ideas are applications of basic Gospel teachings. Monks simply try to live the gospel in a more obvious and emphatic way. The Coronavirus pandemic is offering everyone, not just monks, the challenge and the opportunity to do the same: To live the gospel in a more intense, emphatic way. Benedict tells us that God is everywhere (e.g. the workshop, and the refectory, as well as the chapel), and that Christ is present in every person (especially the poor, the very young, and the sick). So, no matter where the pandemic forces you to go, and no matter who it may force you to encounter, you can comfort yourself in knowing that God in Christ is there to be discovered and served. No crisis, no pandemic is bigger than the Universal Christ whom you meet in every situation and in every human being.
Beautiful and helpful!
ReplyDelete