On Wandering Through Life

At the door of the monastery, place a sensible old man who knows how to take a message and deliver a reply, and whose age keeps him from roaming about. RB80.66.1

Then, there will be no need for the monks to roam outside, because this is not at all good for their souls. RB80.66.7

There are days when I am particularly anxious to find a distraction in my life...any distraction is fine, just something to relieve my boredom, make life interesting or amuse me when I really do not want to deal with the present moment. Benedict seems to be familiar with something similar occuring is his community. In setting up the role of the porter (receptionist at the door), Benedict clearly states twice that wandering, roaming around, or looking for distractions are not highly value qualities.

Benedict seems to say that this desire to escape the dailiness of life can be a sign of immaturity and is not helpful to the health of the soul. If I keep running away everytime something is difficult, then I am probably impeding my own growth--growth in holiness, growth in maturity, growth in virtue. I am never discover my true potential. I may miss many opportunities to both realize my own weakness and vulnerabilities and my inner strength.

I am a person who rarely wants to miss out on new adventures. If I can learn to focus on the potential for new experiences when tempted to run away and find something more interesting, I will see even the painful or the mundane as opportunities for greater growth and success.

When tempted to go through life hopping from distraction to distraction I need to remember to stop and ask myself: What new opportunity for growth am I trying to avoid.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Not Seeking Exceptions

Repeatedly in the Rule, Benedict states that the individual monk should not seek to make exceptions to the common practices. This concept is harder to accept than obedience to a leader is some ways.

I can understand doing what I am asked to do respectfully...but making a point of being just like everyone else and not asking for exceptions because of my temperament, preferences, emotions or whims???

I was raised to believe that I am unique and special in every way. This fact, however, needs to be tempered with the realization that the same is true of every single person. EVERYONE is unique and special and NO ONE needs to be the exception to all rules.

Living and working within a community setting this becomes abundantly clear. If basic rules that all must obey do not exist, chaos reigns and nothing will be accomplished.

I need to remember that I am not the standard setter for every situation. How am I learning to accept that that life asks of me today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

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

Making Adjustments as Necessary

There is a definite wisdom in setting a structure in place but allowing enough flexibility for adjustments or changes as necessary. This format is what the Rule of Benedict provides. After setting up the preferred order for prayer with painstaking precision, Benedict allows the individual communities to make the adjustments that are necessary for their circumstances. He provides us with an elastic structure.

Over 15 centuries later, I can still go to a Monastery during my travels and find some elements of my community's prayer and structure in the host community. It provides a basic unity and universality to our life.

During this Season of Lent, I need to look at the structures that I place around my life. Are they structures that will allow for growth and flexibility? Or, are they structures that can be used to insulate myself against the possibility of change and maturity? Which kind of structures do I want in my life?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Order vs Chaos

Since we are in the season of Lent, there are some things that are a little different in the way we live our lives these days. One example is the amount of silence found throughout our house.

During the season of Lent, we try to add an extra measure of silence and physical discipline into our daily lives. I was in a conversation recently with a group of community members from various age groups. We were talking about silence which was much stricter in the past and silence today. It had started with a question about how silence was presented in the past as a community custom as opposed to today.

From the conversation, I gathered that silence in the past was simply assumed. That's the way we do things here. No questions asked. Today, there is a much greater effort to educate about the reasons behind the practice. That helps it make more logical sense--places it in a context.

From this conversation, I learned to value the humility and virtue of those women who were willing to readily lay aside their wills, concerns and questions and simply follow what is done. I pray for that grace.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Moderation in Food

Although Benedict never visited an all you can eat cafeteria, his wisdom on the variety and amount of food necessary is right on.

Benedict understood that there needed to be some variety in the food that was served. Not so much variety that it overwhelmed the person and the choice became too complicated. He suggests that in most cases a choice between two entrees is sufficient. This choice considers personal preferences and possible allergies or food sensitivities. The food is to be sufficient for the work performed during the day. If the work is hard, more food may be provided.

I wonder if there would be less need for diets and weight loss techniques if Benedict's thoughts on moderation were considered.

Sr. Catherine, OSB