Benedict considers prayer to be a "last resort" type of remedy for the erring. After the community has tried reasoning with the person, public sanctions, and separation from community, then the entire community is invited to pray for the person.
On one level it seems somewhat backward to use prayer as a last resort, yet I am reminded of the many times when prayer does seem to be the last place I turn to once I have exhausted all of the other remedies available to me. Maybe Benedict is telling us that once we have tried everything in our power to remedy the situation...then the one thing left (actually the best thing) is to place the person or situation in God's hands.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment