Tardiness in Community

Today's selection comes from Chapter 43 in the Holy Rule, "Tardiness at the Work of God or at Table."

From the beginning of the chapter, Benedict emphasizes the importance of being on time to two of the major community events every day--prayers and meals. In any group, there is an amount of order and structure that needs to be in place just so there can be smooth functioning.

Benedict recommends that those who are late for either prayers or meals be required to amend for their fault before being allowed to be part of the general group again. Benedict does not seem overly anxious to exclude others randomly or at will. He makes a provision for the beginning verses of the common prayer to be very slow and deliberate giving everyone ample opportunity to be on time.

It seems as though Benedict is not so much addressing the lateness as the attitude in the person that would allow them to take lightly causing distraction or inconvenience to the whole. It is more about the internal motivations than the actual actions.

How do my motivations and attitudes affect the structure of our community life (whether it be in an office, a classroom, a team or a family)?

Sr. Catherine, OSB