RB Reflection: 1 July 2008

Guest Writer Barry Cappleman

RB: 24 REFLECTION- JULY 1, 2008

The degree of excommunication or punishment ought to be meted out according to the gravity of the offense, and to determine that is left to the judgment of the Abbot. If, however, anyone of the brethren is detected in smaller faults, let him be debarred from eating at the common table.

The following shall be the practice respecting one who is excluded from the common table: that he does not intone a psalm or an antiphon nor read a lesson in the oratory until he hath made satisfaction; let him take his meal alone, after the refection of the brethren; thus: if, for instance, the brethren take their meal at the sixth hour that brother will take his at the ninth, and if the brethren take theirs at the ninth, he will take his in the evening, until by due satisfaction he obtaineth pardon.

Some of the things I like about the RB are its flexibility, its realism about human nature, its accountability of its members for the sake of its members and their souls, and its lessons on forgiveness. This chapter is great example of all of the above.

St Benedict, wisely so, uses peer pressure to help the offender correct his/her fault(s). We tend to think this is an awful thing to do today but the truth of the matter is people in all societies, including ours, use peer pressure to help people comply with societal norms. Sometimes the norms of a society are healthy and for the betterment of all of society but at times the norms of society can be destructive and for betterment of only a few individuals.

St Benedict has as the goal of this system of discipline the betterment of the person’s relationship with God, others, and the overall community. When the person has made “due satisfaction” then the person is returned to full fellowship with the community and the other members of the community, hopefully, have also learned something from the offender’s lesson(s) themselves.

This chapter reflects a picture of us when we are unrepentant and have unconfessed sins in our lives. Christ still loves us, but because of our sins, we have a strained relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, and when we repent and confess our sins, then our fellowship with God is fully restored and we can once again enjoy the peace of God. However, let us always remember Jesus is the one who made “due satisfaction” for us all on the cross.

Blessings to each one of you and all those you love