RB Reflection: 26 July 2008

Chapter 46. Faults Committed in Other Matters.

If someone commits a fault while at any work--while working in the kitchen, in the storeroom, in serving, in the bakery, in the garden, in any craft of anywhere else--either by breaking or losing something or failing in any other way in any other place, he must at one come before the abbot and community and of his own accord admit his fault and make satisfaction. If it is made known through another, he is to be subjected to a more severe correction.

When the cause of the sin lies hidden in conscience, he is to reveal it only to the abbot or to one of the spiritual elders, who know how to heal their own woulds as well as those of others, without exposing them and making them public.

This chapter is about taking responsibility for ones own actions. Retail stores often have signs that say, "You break it, you bought it." I don't need to deliver a lecture about personal responsibility for the obvious lesson of this chapter to be understood.

What is more interesting is the last paragraph. "When the cause of the sin lies hidden in the conscience...." Benedict calls us to take responsibility for what we have done and not hide it until someone else points it out, he also says that sometimes actions have deeper reasons, reasons that deal with matters of the soul. It's not for me to say what those matters are, but let's think about the workshop where the one in charge abuses a younger worker. That happens in the 21st century, so surely it happened in the 6th century as well.

As Lay Cistercians we are called to always be responsible for our actions, and to not be quick to point out the sins of others. In fact, it's not our job at all to point out the sins of others. We are to pray, and give witness to the face of Christ--not just in us--but in the other people we encounter. At some point we are going to be that "spiritual elder" for someone, and then the true job of being a Lay Cistercian will begin.

NOTA BENE: I write these every day. Not every day does the Holy Spirit inspire what I write. I do my best to serve my community. If a reflection does not suit you, then by all means, delete it, or go to the website http://rbreflections.blogspot.com and leave a comment. Sometimes I am sad, sometimes I am tired, and sometimes I am sick. So I beg your patience.

With Love
Steve