RB Reflection: 4 June 2008

Chapter 7 49-50

The sixth step of humility is that a monk is content with the lowest and most menial treatment, and regards himself as poor and worthless workman in the whatever task he is given, saying to himself with the Prophet: I am insignificant and ignorant, no better than a beast before you, yet I am with you always (Ps 72[73]:22-23).

Benedict must have had real trouble with his monks back in the 6th Century, especially those from upper classes, having to do manual labor, much less beside monks from the lower classes...No, let us forget the 6th Century and consider the person with many post-graduate degrees who joins a monastery and promptly finds themself digging a hole in the ground...No, forget that too.

Let us consider the Lay Cistercian, again holder of exalted degrees, or perhaps just lots of money, whom upon joining cannot imagine why on earth they are overlooked for the highest positions. Perhaps they think (thinking? didn't we talk about that yesterday?) "I am much too good to just be a member of this group. Why, some of these people don't even have a degree, and I'm sure that one over there is flat broke. No, I am much too good for this."

Good grief! Is it possible that today's lesson has to be built on top of yesterday's? You must guard your mind and heart in order to be able to be happy with the lowest and most menial of tasks? It seems the answer is yes. We develop a too high opinion of ourselves first in our minds. Our thoughts make us see ourselves as so much more than we really are. A humble person might be told all day long how wonderful they are, but in their heart, the humble person realizes that s/he is a sinful creature.

Are we as Lay Cistercians able to apply the same strict mind-watching to our view of who we are as Lay Cistercians? Can we be happy as a group with menial tasks in the Kingdom of God? Can we be happy as a group with, or even without, the approval of the monks or the Order they represent? We are not without comfort even if we should be the lowest of the low, for the final phrase of today's reading says yet I am with you always. Amen.