The Time-Out Chair

If you are a follower of the cartoon Dennis you are aware that Dennis spends many an hour in a time-out chair facing the wall. This seems to be his punishment for almost any kind of offense. He is banished to a corner, isolated from everyone. He cannot see anyone; he faces the wall. He is bereft of his friends, his family, even the outside sights. He has no one to play with, to talk with nor even to look at. It is up to Dennis in this time-out period to make a choice to change his behavior or to find himself spending more and more time in the time-out chair.

Isolation from the table and the oratory is Benedict’s “time-out” chair for monks who are guilty of serious faults. The monk is to take his unblest meal alone, to work alone at the tasks given her. No one in the community can associate or converse with her or even bless her as she passes by. In isolation, it is a time for the monk to ponder what she really wants and needs, and how she must change her behavior to be a happy and holy person in this community.

Sitting in the time-out chair on occasion might be a blessing for each of us.

Sr. Veronica, OSB