RB Reflection: 24 July 2008

Chapter 44. Satisfaction by the Excommunicated

Anyone excommunicated for serious faults from the oratory and from the table is to prostrate himself in silence at the oratory entrance at the end of the celebration of the Work of God. He should lie face down at the feet of all as they leave the oratory, and let him do this until the abbot judges he has made satisfaction. Next, at the bidding of the abbot, he is to prostrate himself at the abbot's feet, then at the feet of all that they may pray for him. Only then, if the abbot orders, should he be admitted to the choir in the rank the abbot assigns. Even so, he should not presume to lead a psalm or a reading or anything else in the oratory without further instructions from the abbot. In addition, at all the hours, as the Work of God is completed, he must prostrate himself in the place he occupies. He will continue this form of satisfaction until the abbot again bids him cease.

those excommunicated for less serious faults from the table only are to make satisfaction in the oratory for as long as the abbot orders. They do so until he gives his blessing and says: "Enough."

I think I could stand being excluded from the table more easily than from the liturgy. Either way, the lesson is simple, play by the rules or suffer the consequences. Consequences come with every act we perform in life. There are repercussions to every event in the universe.

Lay Cistercians must always keep in mind how the events that we create have consequences as well. It is our charism to carry the face of Christ, and to see it in other people out in the secular world. We are planting seeds, if you will, that will grow in some way, either positive or negative. Do we bring peace to the lives of others, or do we bring discord? And, if we do bring discord, what do we do to repair it?

We are long past laying on the floor in front of others, thankfully, because that seems too much like drama to me, but we are never past repentance, and apology to those whom we have given bad seed. Perhaps each of us should daily examine our lives to find that bad seed we've planted that day, and make it our business to repent of it, and then apologize for it! In this day and time, apologizing is our version of laying on our face.

But never forget, there comes a time when even the penitent must be told, "enough."

May God bring us altogether to everlasting life.