RB Reflections 30 April 2008

Chapter 72 On the Good Zeal Which They Ought to Have

Just as there is an evil zeal of bitterness
which separates from God and leads to hell,
so there is a good zeal
which separates from vices and leads to God
and to life everlasting.

This sounds like almost obvious advice. Perhaps, too obvious to merit our reflection? Yet, this entire rule has been written just so people may make that choice of zeal. We've been shown how to use good zeal.

This zeal, therefore, the sisters should practice
with the most fervent love.
Thus they should anticipate one another in honor (Rom. 12:10);
most patiently endure one another's infirmities,
whether of body or of character;
vie in paying obedience one to another --
no one following what she considers useful for herself,
but rather what benefits another;
tender the charity of sisterhood chastely;
fear God in love;
love their Abbess with a sincere and humble charity;
prefer nothing whatever to Christ.
And may He bring us all together to life everlasting!

Now let's think about how this is the end of the instruction section of the rule. The next chapter is basically Benedict telling us to keep on the right path, and continue to grow in God. Yet what struck me is how this chapter sums up everything as Love. That is surely a Cistercian value we hold, even when it's not so easy to love the more unlovable person.

When you get right down to it, if love is not at the root of your actions, then you have not the spirit of good zeal. If we look at the Cistercian writings we see that Love is a theme word for their entire order. Even they spend their lifetime trying to learn to love just each other in community, much less the wider world.

We as LCG as called to capital "L" Love in the secular world. A world where kindness is disappearing much less love. To truly be Lay Cistercian's of Gethsemani we must love in every action, and every project, in our thoughts, too, because God searches our hearts and minds.

Love in all things.

Peace
Steve

House keeping Thoughts Then 29 April 2008

Dear Subscribers,

This is a long first note to the RB Reflections list. I promise you, after today, no more long notes attached with the reflection. Sometimes a little housekeeping must be done. If you could care less about the house keeping, just skip down to the bright red text is to begin the reflection.

This is the first reflection sent to this list. It will not appear in the Forum. Today is Chapter we shall deal with in one way or another, but there is a more important even taking place today that should also be discussed, even as we discuss the rule.

Today the monks at Gethsemani elect an Abbot. Fr. Damien was the ninth Abbot, whoever they elect today will be the tenth Abbot. No, I'm not going to jump to the chapter where it talks about Abbots. It does make one reflect on the continuing history of the monastery, how time goes forward, while we, and abbots, and monks, flow into time, and then at our death, flow out of time. We pray for the election of the new Abbot.

As to the Rule, today I want to talk about various translations of the rule. A phone conversation yesterday made me aware that not all of us read our rule from the same little red book. I usually use the OSB website daily reading. That itself is based on the 1948 Rule, adapted by Doyle(?) in 1995, with even chapters for women, and odd chapters for me. That got me to thinking that if I read the 1980, am I reading anything different than was in the 1895 translation, or the 1949 translation? If you click on the links you will see the part of the rule for today. In both translations, LXXI=71.

So now let's consider another subject, why didn't I start these reflections with the Prologue? Well, for any that may not know, it is the practice of the Benedictines to read the rule start to finish three times in year. Today is not just April 29th's reading, it is also August 29th, and December 29th. That is the pattern by which all the remaining reflections will be posted.

Since the monks at Gethsemani have not seen fit as of yet to share with us their schedule of reading from the rule, then we shall continue with a minor adaptation. We are not tied down to any one translation.

Today is the 1895

Chapter 71
That the brethren be obedient to each other.

The service of obedience by all is not to be rendered to the Abbot only, but the Brethren shall also mutually obey each other, knowing that by this path of obedience they shall to [render obedience] unto God.

Interesting that this is reading for the day that The monks elect their new Abbot. Also that they have to render a kind of obedience to their brothers as well. So it's not just the hierarchy you obey, (of course you obey them first) but your brothers and sisters, as well. Let's finish out the passage.

Therefore, when the command of the Abbot, or of other Superiors constituted by him, have been first obeyed, (to which we suffer no private orders to be preferred), the Juniors shall obey their Seniors with all charity and diligence. If anyone be found contentious, let him be rebuked.

But if a Brother be rebuked for event he least thing by the Abbot, or by any of his Seniors; or if he shall perceive that the mind of his Senior is even slightly, be it never so little, moved against him, he shall, without delay, prostrate himself at his feet, and remain there till that commotion be appeased and he receive a blessing. If any one be too proud to do this, let him be liable either to corporal punishment, or if he prove contumacious, let him be expelled from the Monastery.

So what does that have to do with today's election? Election time brings out the best and worst in people, certainly so in the secular world, I doubt it is much different in the monastic world. I'm sure that today there may be not prostrations made, but whatever passes for them these days, will be done. "If he shall perceive that the mind of the senior is ever so slightly . . . ."