RB Reflection: 16 July 2008

Chapter 37. The Elderly and Children.

Although human nature itself is inclined to be compassionate toward the old and the young, the authority of the rule should also provide for them. Since their lack of strength must always be taken into account, they should certainly not be required to follow the strictness of the rule with regard to food, but should be treated with kindly consideration and allowed to eat before the regular hours.

Once again, Benedict, that deep perceiver of human nature, has taken into account that if we are not reminded of our "inclination to be compassionate" that we very likely will not be compassionate. It's not what Benedict is saying in this chapter so much as what he is not saying that makes this chapter so interesting. "Since their lack of strength must always be taken into account," indicates that he had seen evidence of its not being taken into account enough, that he felt the need to include a chapter saying be nice to the old and the children.

Cases of elder abuse are on the rise. I know personally of a case where a son is taking terrible advantage of his mother with Alzheimers Disease to drain her bank accounts to feed his nefarious habits. We all read of the abuse of the elderly in certain nursing homes in the newspapers. And do I really need to list any of the cases of child abuse?

What are we as Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani to do about this? Does the lay charism call us to act for social justice? If we recall that the lay charism is different from the monastic charism then yes, it does call us to be witnesses not only of prayer and contemplation, but to uphold this chapter of the rule by our actions, witness, protest, and vigilance.

For the most part we are a bunch of contemplative people. Contemplation is not burying ones head in the sand. It wasn't all that long ago in historical time that we left the sick, elderly, or the unwanted baby behind when the clan/tribe moved on. We still hear of elderly people dying of heatstroke in houses without air conditioning because no one cared enough to check on them regularly. We still hear of infants found in garbage bags, or children locked in closets, or even grown women locked in basements.

Benedict teaches us in this chapter to open our hearts to the most vulnerable in our communities, and have a special care for them and their needs. Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani can do no less.

May God bring us altogether to everlasting life.