RB Reflection: 5 June2008

The seventh step of humility is that a man not only admits with his tongue but is also convinced in his heart that he is inferior to all and of less value, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: I am truly a worm, not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people (Ps 21[22]:7). I was exalted, then I was humbled and overwhelmed with confusion (Ps 87[88]:16). And again, It is a blessing that you have humbled me so that I can learn your commandments (Ps 118[119]:71,73).

The very first thing we should do is remember, this is a step on the ladder of humility, not an outline for a sick sadomasochistic game with rules written by the Marquis de Sade. Those who have a poorly developed sense of self as a dearly beloved child of God may find this section of the rule feeds right into their already terrible self image. I pray that no reader of today's reflection will see it in that light.

Psalm 22 starts out with the famous "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish?" Clearly the psalmist feels abandoned. Perhaps Benedict is trying to look ahead to such moments when we feel abandoned and say, "if you keep your head screwed on straight, and remember that you are only a human, and not God, then when you do feel abandoned you'll already be in a good place to survive the feelings."

We certainly do not want to feel inferior. A lot of money is spent in the Psychologist office trying to not feel so inferior. So what is the point of today's reading?

It is that you are not any better then she is. He is not any better than I am. None of us are any better than the others. And, certainly, not one person in community is better than another.

Our culture says that you are worth more to society if you have more money, are a celebrity, possess many advanced degrees, or are a truly holy person. We as a society have allowed our self esteem to be determined by what we own, know, do, or a position in some class structure. That is utterly counter to the teachings of Christ, and Benedict makes that very clear in today's passage.

Lay Cistercians are called to remember this as well. If you are called upon to serve in some way the larger groups of Lay Cistercians, that does not make you of more value than the one who sits in the corner in silence. We must remember being of use, and being of value, are two different things. While s/he may be more useful than that other one, s/he is of no greater value than the other one.

So let's not confuse use and value to be the same thing. And may the Lord bring us altogether to everlasting life.