RB Reflections: 6 June 2008

Chapter 7.55
Feb. 5 June 6 Oct. 6

The eighth step of humility is that a monk does only what is endorsed by the common rule of the monastery and the example set by his superiors.

At first glance this verse doesn't seem to have much meat on the bone. After all, why join a monastery if you're not going to follow the rules of the house? Unfortunately, we know how when we first join a group we are avid about keeping every rule and obeying every statute. Then, the honeymoon ends and we start to grumble about this or that. It's too restrictive, or worse yet, that doesn't apply to me.

In the life long quest to give our lives to God, we are called continually out of ourselves and into a new life. I believe there is a greater application to the Lay Cistercian in the eighth step of humility than any verse thus far. The daily reports from Huerta, are showing that we are coming closer to a real structure for all Lay Cistercian Communities. Here's a quote.

The concerns expressed by some Lay Cistercian groups over the speed with which all of this "formality" and "structure" . . . It is an act of faith to set aside our fears and vote for the unknown.

It is also an act of humility and obedience to do so. We are all going to be called to practice humility, to stay with the group, and to be open to the changes that are coming. Benedict warns us in today's reading that going your own way and doing your own thing, is contrary to the ideal of community life. A monk does only what is endorsed by the common rule of the monastery. For some of us it will mean adopting ways that are strange to us, or making changes that irk us personally. Yet, humility calls us to hold fast to the rule of common life.

Even though we do not live a common life in the same house, we live a common life by our Rule of Life, and our devotion to the Rule. May He bring us all to everlasting life.