There ought to be due proportion between the seriousness of a fault and the measure of excommunication or discipline. RB80.24.1
This short verse from the Rule seems to be pretty clear: make sure that the consequence is in proportion to the action. The reasoning behind it makes sense and seems fair--big penalties should not be associated with minor infractions. Both the severity of the action and the particular situation of the person(s) involved should be considered.
This theory holds true in any kind of group whether a family, a team, a classroom or an office. I am reminded of an incident that happened at home with my siblings. My younger sister did not have a whole lot of emotional control as far as I could see. (I had somehow forgotten that I was more than 15 years older than her, so hopefully I had a little more control than she did.) One day she was upset about something and threw a hairbrush at me. She was about two at the time. I was not going to let this offense go by lightly so I flung the brush back at her. She had totally missed me but I had better aim. I hit her on the head. My mom happened to be coming into the room about the time the brush hit my sister. Needless to say, I got in trouble for not using my best judgement in responding to my sister. I had forgotten about the difference in age and strength between us.
I remember that incident when I am in a situation where I need to evaluate how to respond to an action. Do I really need to respond in like manner? Is my proposed consequence disproportionate to the original offense? How would I like others to respond to me in that situation? How forgiving would I like God to be with me?
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
In the Presence of God and His Angels
Let us consider, then, how we ought to behave in the presence of God and his angels, and let us stand to sing the psalms in such a way that our minds are in harmony with our voices. RB80.19.6-7
I have a very short attention span and often find my mind drifting in multiple directions if I don't consciously make myself focus and be fully present. After saying this, today's passage from the Rule is more than a little challenging for me at times.
I have been in our community around 25 years. That means that for 25 years I have been participating in our community prayers daily. I can even recite many of the psalms, practically in my sleep. That is where the challenge lies for me...It is possible for me to be physically present at our prayers, and even be mouthing the correct words and not be totally present! My mind could easily be on my last activity or my next activity if I am not watchful.
My basic underlying desire, though, invites me to be awake, alert and fully present at our times of prayer. So knowing my own tendencies, how can I ensure that I am as fully engaged as possible at all times?
I have a very short attention span and often find my mind drifting in multiple directions if I don't consciously make myself focus and be fully present. After saying this, today's passage from the Rule is more than a little challenging for me at times.
I have been in our community around 25 years. That means that for 25 years I have been participating in our community prayers daily. I can even recite many of the psalms, practically in my sleep. That is where the challenge lies for me...It is possible for me to be physically present at our prayers, and even be mouthing the correct words and not be totally present! My mind could easily be on my last activity or my next activity if I am not watchful.
My basic underlying desire, though, invites me to be awake, alert and fully present at our times of prayer. So knowing my own tendencies, how can I ensure that I am as fully engaged as possible at all times?
- I can arrive a few minutes early for prayers and prepare myself in stillness and silence to be fully present.
- I can make sure that I reduce my distractions by refraining from stopping along the way to the oratory.
- I can bring myself gently back to the present moment when I find myself daydreaming.
- I can thank God for the grace to even have this desire for heightened awareness.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Moderation in the Rule
Above all else we urge that if anyone finds this distribution of the psalms unsatisfactory, he should arrange whatever he judges better, provided that the full compliment of one hundred and fifty psalms is by all means carefully maintained every week, and that the series begins anew each Sunday at Vigils. RB80.18.22-23
After setting up guidelines for a proposed order of prayer, Benedict reminds the group that these are only guidelines not steadfast rules. He seems to realize that there may be circumstances within groups that would call for modifications, and that is actually okay. This is part of the genius that has allowed this form of living to still be viable after more than 1500 years.
There needs to be a certain amount of flexibility in life that allows for adjustments to be made for situations that might arise. Without this ability to adjust as necessary, structures can become rigid with little or no opportunity to modify. Although there is a need for structure in life a certain amount of fluidity is also needed. This ability to adapt helps us to find a balance in everyday life.
What am I doing to help find a healthy balance in my life today?
Sr. Catherine, OSB
After setting up guidelines for a proposed order of prayer, Benedict reminds the group that these are only guidelines not steadfast rules. He seems to realize that there may be circumstances within groups that would call for modifications, and that is actually okay. This is part of the genius that has allowed this form of living to still be viable after more than 1500 years.
There needs to be a certain amount of flexibility in life that allows for adjustments to be made for situations that might arise. Without this ability to adjust as necessary, structures can become rigid with little or no opportunity to modify. Although there is a need for structure in life a certain amount of fluidity is also needed. This ability to adapt helps us to find a balance in everyday life.
What am I doing to help find a healthy balance in my life today?
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Vespers--Prayers at Twilight
Prayers at dawn and at twilight (Lauds/morning prayer and Vespers/evening prayer) are the bookends to our day. Just as I learned to pray on awakening and before sleep daily these two specific prayer times at the beginning and the end of the day set the tone for my daily life. Those days when I miss a prayer time or rush through prayers just to fill a requirement definitely have a different feel to them.
So...what is distinctive about these times of prayer and why are they so important? For me, morning prayer sets the tone for the day. It's starting my day of right by having a conversation with God. This is also an opportunity to thank God for protecting me throughout the night and giving me another opportunity to grow. I can offer the upcoming day to God so that I can remember concretely that the day is God's gift to me. Vespers is the time when I can thank God for the blessings the day has brought and ask God for the grace to improve tomorrow. It offers me the opportunity to review the day and put it away in God's presence.
How can this practice be incorporated into daily living? One way to start is praying a psalm together as a family before bedtime and concluding with an Our Father. Another idea is to add another psalm on weekend mornings (when life is a little less hectic).
Sr. Catherine, OSB
So...what is distinctive about these times of prayer and why are they so important? For me, morning prayer sets the tone for the day. It's starting my day of right by having a conversation with God. This is also an opportunity to thank God for protecting me throughout the night and giving me another opportunity to grow. I can offer the upcoming day to God so that I can remember concretely that the day is God's gift to me. Vespers is the time when I can thank God for the blessings the day has brought and ask God for the grace to improve tomorrow. It offers me the opportunity to review the day and put it away in God's presence.
How can this practice be incorporated into daily living? One way to start is praying a psalm together as a family before bedtime and concluding with an Our Father. Another idea is to add another psalm on weekend mornings (when life is a little less hectic).
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Monday, February 21, 2011
O God Come to My Assistance
Each of the community prayer times is to begin with the following invocation: O God, come to my assistance. O Lord make haste to help me. With this constant reminder throughout the day of our need for God's grace and mercy, our day is filled with an awareness of who I am and who God is in the world. God is Creator, I am created.
Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that, especially if I am on a very successful stretch of time when most things seem to be going extremely well. I can have a tendency to take credit for the successes and accomplishments in my life and forget that actually they are all a very generous gift from God; since without God's grace I can do very little successfully.
This verse at the beginning of our community prayers recalls this fact for me. I am invited to remember throughout the day, whose I am and to whom I should be grateful.
May I always remember to praise God for his gifts to me.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that, especially if I am on a very successful stretch of time when most things seem to be going extremely well. I can have a tendency to take credit for the successes and accomplishments in my life and forget that actually they are all a very generous gift from God; since without God's grace I can do very little successfully.
This verse at the beginning of our community prayers recalls this fact for me. I am invited to remember throughout the day, whose I am and to whom I should be grateful.
May I always remember to praise God for his gifts to me.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Friday, February 18, 2011
Alleluia on Sundays
Sundays in the weekly prayer order are set apart from the other days through the addition of "Alleluia" at the end of the psalms. The only exception is the Lenten season when Alleluia is not used at all.
Why are Sundays set apart from the other days?
Why are Sundays set apart from the other days?
- Sundays are considered the day to remember and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. In a sense, through our celebration of Sunday we celebrate again the Resurrection.
- Sundays are set apart as a day of leisure and renewal. In the Rule, Benedict sets apart Sunday as the day for extra prayer and study of the scriptures.
- As the first day of the week, Sunday can set the tone and rhythm for the week that is to follow.
What am I doing to set Sundays apart in my life?
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Lord's Prayer at Common Prayer
Assuredly, the celebration of Lauds and Vespers must never pass without the superior's reciting the entire Lord's Prayer at the end for all to hear, because thorns of contention are likely to spring up. Thus warned by the pledge they make to one another in the very words of this prayer: Forgive us as we forgive (Matt 6:12), they may cleanse themselves of this kind of vice. RB80. 13.12-13
Anytime that a group is gathered together to work on a project, be part of a team or interact closely for an extended period of time, differences of opinion, misunderstandings and minor hurts are likely to spring up. Benedict seems to have understood this concept from his observations of human nature. Knowing this potential, Benedict sets forth that the Lord's Prayer should be recited at least twice daily (morning and evening). This would serve as a gentle reminder that we are to be a forgiving people if we are to work for any length of time together in peace.
The line that Benedict focuses on is: Forgive us as we forgive (Matt 6.12). This line in the prayer helps me to remember that just as I am seeking God's mercy and forgiveness; others are also seeking the same from me. It helps me to remember that I need to work on my own faults first before I even consider holding others accountable for theirs. Good as I might want to appear, I am not above reproach.
This form of reality check helps me to be more patient and understanding with others. In a sense, we are all doing the best we can given our personal situations. This reminder helps me to be at least a little less judgemental of others (at least in theory).
How am I forgiving others today?
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Anytime that a group is gathered together to work on a project, be part of a team or interact closely for an extended period of time, differences of opinion, misunderstandings and minor hurts are likely to spring up. Benedict seems to have understood this concept from his observations of human nature. Knowing this potential, Benedict sets forth that the Lord's Prayer should be recited at least twice daily (morning and evening). This would serve as a gentle reminder that we are to be a forgiving people if we are to work for any length of time together in peace.
The line that Benedict focuses on is: Forgive us as we forgive (Matt 6.12). This line in the prayer helps me to remember that just as I am seeking God's mercy and forgiveness; others are also seeking the same from me. It helps me to remember that I need to work on my own faults first before I even consider holding others accountable for theirs. Good as I might want to appear, I am not above reproach.
This form of reality check helps me to be more patient and understanding with others. In a sense, we are all doing the best we can given our personal situations. This reminder helps me to be at least a little less judgemental of others (at least in theory).
How am I forgiving others today?
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Monday, February 14, 2011
On Giving Praise
Today's selection from the Rule speaks about Lauds/Morning Praise/Morning Prayer. It is in all creation to praise God as our creator ceaselessly.
What are some practical ways in which this can be accomplished?
What are some practical ways in which this can be accomplished?
- setting time aside daily to enjoy nature; to marvel at the beauty of creation
- taking time to just sit and think--even for only a few minutes
- writing a blessings/gratitude list, something that I can reread when days can seem long
- spending time with a friend
These are just some of the ways in which I can increase my ability to praise God daily.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
Monday, February 7, 2011
On Laughter
The tenth step of humility is that he is not given to ready laughter, for it is written: Only a fool raises his voice in laughter (Sir 21:23). RB80.7.59
The tenth step of humility seems, at first glance, to be totally against humor and mirth of any kind. Looking at the passage from the Book of Sirach to which this passage refers there is a sense that it is the shallowness of a person who laughs at anything at all that is being addressed.
A person of wisdom and stature would be able to discern the words that are worth listening to, be able to evaluate the content of the message and even the true message that might be found below the surface of words. That person would be able to evaluate whether laughter is an appropriate response or not.
An unwise person or one who has not reached full maturity might tend to laugh out of nervousness or the discomfort of an awkward pause. The wise person is able to sit silently and wait for the time to respond lovingly.
I desire to be that wise person--the one that seems to always know how to respond in any given situation. What am I doing today to increase that ability within myself? How am I learning to make silence my friend?
Please pray for the School of Lectio training which will be held this week at our monastery. May God bless all of the participants and staff with wisdom and peace.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
The tenth step of humility seems, at first glance, to be totally against humor and mirth of any kind. Looking at the passage from the Book of Sirach to which this passage refers there is a sense that it is the shallowness of a person who laughs at anything at all that is being addressed.
A person of wisdom and stature would be able to discern the words that are worth listening to, be able to evaluate the content of the message and even the true message that might be found below the surface of words. That person would be able to evaluate whether laughter is an appropriate response or not.
An unwise person or one who has not reached full maturity might tend to laugh out of nervousness or the discomfort of an awkward pause. The wise person is able to sit silently and wait for the time to respond lovingly.
I desire to be that wise person--the one that seems to always know how to respond in any given situation. What am I doing today to increase that ability within myself? How am I learning to make silence my friend?
Please pray for the School of Lectio training which will be held this week at our monastery. May God bless all of the participants and staff with wisdom and peace.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
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