Life Everlasting

...and may he bring us all together to everlasting life. RB80.72.12

Community life is about the whole group. The goal of life (all Christian life) is to help one another reach our heavenly home.

• It is through the struggles and joys of working and living with others that we learn some of the most important life lessons that carry us through.
• It is in our daily encounters that we become more self-aware of our own frailties and faults.
• I learn compassion when I practice patience with others and experience the love of others in my times of pain.
• I learn faith and trust as I continue to realize my dependence on others and the interdependence which is necessary in life.

As we approach the end of 2010 and the conclusion of another cycle of our daily reading of the Rule, may God truly unite us on our journey towards life everlasting.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Obeying the Community

Obedience is a blessing to be shown by all, not only to the abbot but also to one another as brothers, since we know that it is by this way of obedience that we go to God. RB80.71.1-2

It is easy enough for me to understand the value of obeying leadership...but obeying one another? That is something a little more difficult to practice.

Why is it necessary to obey others on a team, at work, in a class or other group situation?

While I have my own thoughts and opinions about when things should start I have to remember that everyone else involved also has thoughts and opinions about the same issues--not necessarily mine. What would happen if everyone stubbornly insisted on having their own way?

Chaos would reign...very little constructive work would be done and resentments would be high. Not a very pleasant environment for work or team building.

By compromising and through dialogue, boundaries and standards can be set so that there is less confusion and all will know the parameters within which to work.

I may not always get my way but at least there will be a more pleasant environment for work.

Sr. Catherine, OSB

The Golden Rule in Community

After all, it is written: 'Never do to another what you do not want done to yourself.' (Tobit 4:16) RB80.70.7

This reference to the Book of Tobit is found at the end of Chapter 70 which speaks about striking out against another. Who would have thought that the Golden Rule had found a place both in Scripture and in the Rule?

This reference reminds me to take into account the thoughts, feelings and concerns of others before I act. I need to consider whether I would like to receive the action which I am contemplating. Ideally, this pause will help to curb any tendency towards revenge, retaliation or spite.

This special consideration of others helps to make life in community more peaceful and less chaotic. It helps me to expand my awareness of others and my compassion towards others. I need practice in that often because there is a tendency in me to become self-centered and over-focused.

What am I doing to remember my relationship with others today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Discord Among Leaders

...while abbot and prior pursue conflicting policies, their own souls are inevitably endangered by this discord; and at the same time the monks under them take sides and so go to their ruin. RB80.65.8-9

If one parent says "No" to a request, it is always a good idea to try the other parent...they may say "Yes", especially if they don't know that the request has already been denied. This theory for navigating permissions in a family is a practice familiar to many. It was often attempted in our house, unfortunately it often failed.

This dynamic is what Benedict is seeking to avoid in today's passage from the Rule. In a group, it sets up the possibility that rather than following normal avenues for receiving permissions the members will go to the leader who seems to be most favorable to the request or most likely to be swayed easily.

There is a divisive element to this practice. While the leaders are trying to sort out the problem, small factions can also be formed with those who favor one leader arguing against those who follow another.

How am I helping to unite community rather than divide it?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Leading By Example

Goodness of life and wisdom in teaching must be the criteria in choosing the one to be made abbot, even if he is the last in community rank. RB80.64.2

In setting forth the principle criteria for selecting leadership, Benedict puts forth goodness of life and wisdom in teaching as the key elements in this selection. Benedict is not looking for the most successful, the most popular or the most brilliant--he is looking for an over-all good monastic who can set a good example for the group.

There is a piece of folk wisdom that asserts that the best leaders are those who have learned to be good team members and who are able to follow another's lead. St. Benedict seems to be saying the same today about leadership. If the leader is not already a good community member familiar with patiently following another's lead, leadership tasks will be much more cumbersome.

How am I training for leadership today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

More Is Required

It is often easy to looking longingly at others and fantasize what their life must be like or wonder why someone is always chosen for special privileges. When I was younger, I always desired to be the person who was chosen to be the leader or who had all of these imagined "perks" in life. It always seemed so appealing and glamorous. Much more interesting than my life seemed.

As I have matured and be given more responsibilities and duties, I have also received some extra privileges. It seems that with the "extras" comes a larger portion of responsibility. I can't just have the "perks" and not be accountable. I need to remember the weight that comes with even small responsibilities...I also need to remember how to be part of a team so that when others are in leadership I can still participate fully.

How am I adding to the team today?

Sr. Catherine, OSB

Visiting Monastics

A visiting monk from far away will perhaps present himself and wish to stay as a guest in the monastery. Provided that he is content with the life as he finds it, and does not make excessive demands that upset the monastery, but is simply content with what he finds, he should be received for as long as he wishes.

Visitors should not make themselves a burden.

When I was young, I learned that if I wanted to be socially accepted or even just invited places, I needed to make sure that I was a pleasant guest. If I was too demanding or bothersome, I might find myself never invited anywhere. I learned this lesson fairly rapidly and learned it well.

My parents were always amazed that I seemed to be a much different person at friend's homes as opposed to my "at home" behavior. I was polite and courteous. I was not picky or as obnoxious. I even offered to do some tasks that I would never have done willingly at home. My friends were that way at my home also. Just being a guest in someone else's home seemed to make the difference.

Benedict addresses the issue of guests today. He supports his disciples visiting other groups as long as they are not overly-burdensome.

I need to develope some of those "away from home skills" more fully so that they become a part of my daily life. How can I make life at home more pleasant for myself and others?

Sr. Catherine, OSB