Who is Your Shepherd?

Still loyal to the world by their actions, they clearly lie to God by their tonsure. Two or three together, or even alone, without a shepherd, they pen themselves up in their own sheepfolds, not the Lord's. RB80.2.7-8a

In listing the types of disciples found in the monastery, Benedict is dealing today with those who are pretending to be something they are not. Benedict uses the example of the monastic tonsure--which was a visible sign of monastic commitment. Those who try to live the life while still having one foot firmly planted in their former way of life. It is similar to trying to move forward while looking over one's shoulder at what was left behind. Although this type of motion might be possible for a short time, it gets tiresome, confusing and potentially dangerous after a while.

Benedict also makes an allusion to the story of the Good Shepherd who has built a relationship with his flock. In the Gospel of John, we are told that the shepherd and the sheep recognize one another. The sheep follow at the voice of the shepherd. Benedict gives us the example of those aforementioned people who have convinced themselves that they are follow God's will and directives while actually simply following what they like and find comfortable. This tendency can be destructive in community because it has the ability to set up separate factions within the whole.

Am I helping to build community or divide it by hanging on to my own will?

Sr. Catherine, OSB