Taking Care of the Crew

The leader of the group (parent, Abbot, Prioress, captain, coach) is to be aware of the needs of the entire team. That person is to make sure that there is no undue distress, worry or concern about the necessary items for life. The leader is to see that all concerns are address in a timely fashion. This responsibility is very important for Benedict since he reminds the superior once again that at judment time he will be responsible for any stress caused due to neglect.

This passage reminds me of my tendency to hold on to things even when I don't need them sometimes if I am concerned that I might run out soon. I might save that squeezed-flat tube of toothpaste or the almost dried out pen in case it might come in handy in an emergency. Benedict knew about that tendency and tried to curtail it by having one person be concerned about the necessaries. It makes life more simple when I don't get involved in thinking of all the potential issues that might arise in the future and how to make sure that I have enought to survive.

Benedict was also inviting the community members to rely more on God and God's providence--after all, I don't have to do everything myself every time.

May I continue to grow in my awareness of God's care.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Just Passing Through

A traveler was passing through a Russian village whose rabbi was renowned throughout the land for his holiness. So he stopped by to see the holy man. He was shocked to see how bare and stark the rabbi’s room was. It had only a wooden table and stool, at which the rabbi sat prayerfully reading the scriptures. “Rabbi,” the traveler asked, “where are your possessions?” The old man looked upon the stranger and replied, “Stranger, where are yours?” To which the stranger answered, “Rabbi, I don’t have any with me, I’m only passing through.” The rabbi smiled and said, “So am I.”

We, like the traveler and the rabbi, are just passing through, so we don’t need anything of our own, as Benedict tells us. All things should be in the common possession of all, so that no one presumes ownership of anything. This simplicity of lifestyle frees us for all God’s surprises.

Sr. Veronica, OSB

Without God I Am Nothing

At first glance, the 6th Step of Humility seems to have little to offer in the way of affirming me, my efforts and my accomplishments. Afterall, it talks about me being worthless, a bad worker and no better than a beast--hardly words meant to evoke a high self-esteem.

Yet, when looked at from a different perspective, the 6th step reminds me that everything is gift to us from God. My talents, skills, gifts and accomplishments were originally total gift from God to me. So although there is some good feeling to be had in realizing my goals, my successes and accomplishments...the ultimate source of all this good is God. The real acknowledgement to praise belongs to God who freely gives us all good gifts.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

On Private Ownership

Monastic life has long been considered to be counter-cultural. In few places is it more evident than in Chapter 55 of the Rule, where Benedict makes clear that private ownership has little place in community.

Monastic community life takes the image from the Acts of the Apostles of the early church as its model. In such a group, everything is held in common, there is no one in need, and all have what is necessary for their daily life. In the Rule's version, everyone receives from the superior not only what is essential for daily living but also what might be necessary for a particular ministry or situation. The needs and character of the person are taken into account.

In this type of community, everyone is seen as a steward or custodian of the common goods rather than owner. In a sense, if I am a custodian of the utensils or clothing or instruments then I have a responsibility to care for them because eventually I might be called to pass the goods on to someone else. This concept is very foreign to the concept of ownership where I am and will probably the only person to use something and I also have the power to lend my goods or to demand them back.

How am I caring for the materials I have to work with today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Want VS Need

Fr. Mike Roethler OSB was president of St Gregory’s University when I began teaching there. He was a kind and gentle person. Whenever any of us went to him with a request to spend money, his response was always: “Is this a WANT or a NEED”?

I think St Benedict is asking us to do the same thing—to consider if our request is a WANT or a NEED. After thoughtful consideration we may find that most things we think we need are really just wants to make our lives more comfortable.

Sr. Veronica, OSB

God's Return on Investment

Chapter 33 of the rule reminds me of Mark’s gospel story about the poor widow and her contribution of two coins; “she contributed her whole livelihood.” In a sense she was left with no money, with nothing to provide for her own well-being. And yet, at the same time she was left with everything, with a faith in God to sustain her, a hope in God to encourage her and a love of God to nourish her. She contributed her whole livelihood, but God returned it to her in a more precious kind of livelihood.

When people ask us how we can live without owning something, without having something to call our own, our response is the poor widow’s response. We may have contributed a livelihood with possessions , and yet , we have a more precious livelihood without possessions. We are cherished by God and community and have time to share our faith, our hope and love with others.

Sr. Veronica, OSB