Prayer: The Better Remedy

After he has applied compresses, the ointment of encouragement, the medice of divine Scripture, and finally the cauterizing iron of excommunication and strokes of the rod, and if he then perceives that his earnest efforts are unavailing, let him apply an even better remedy: he and all of the brothers should pray for him so that the Lord, who can do all things, may bring about the health of the sick brother. RB80.28.4-6

This selection comes towards the end of the section of the Rule that is considered a penal code of sorts. It comes after the various types of faults committed and the advised consequence have been addressed. It comes also after the section on excommunication (exclusion) for the group for significant problems.

It seems somewhat curious to me that Benedict reserves the use of prayer as a last resort remedy to whatever issue is at hand. It's as if to say once all that is humanly possible has been tried then turn to God for the answer. Maybe the point that Benedict is trying to make is that prayer needs to be accompanied by action. Sometimes, there can be the temptation to think that because I have prayed about an issue my responsibility has been fulfilled...now it's up to God to deal with it since I have prayed. Actually, it might need to be more like a partnership where I do pray and let God work on the outcome but also participate by taking concrete action also on whatever the issue may be.

There have been times in my life when I have been the person in need of prayer, healing and direction. There have also been times when I am on the side of accompanying those who might need the guidance. In both instances, I need to remember that I am in partnership with God and with my community on my life journey.

How am I remembering God's presence in my life today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB