Chapter 69. the Presumption of Defending Another in the Monastery
Every precaution must be taken that one monk does not presume in any circumstance to defend another in the monastery or to be his champion, even if they are related by the closest ties of blood. In no way whatsoever shall the monks presume to do this, because it can be a most serious source and occasion of contention. Anyone who breaks this rule is to be sharply restrained.
It's chapters like this that make me wish for a deeper understanding of the Rule itself. I'm sure there is some deeper context that I am missing here, but for the sake of this reflection I shall push on.
Everyone has to learn to stand on their own two feet. When we are young, if we have brothers and sisters, sometimes you have to stand up for your younger brother or sister, or else some punk will push them down and make them cry. That's fine, when you're six. It's considerably less fine when your twenty-six.
I believe what Benedict is addressing here is the tendency we have to break off into cliques. If I defend you from the rudeness of another, then I have denied you the right to stand on your own two feet. I have also appointed myself as your protector. Those who agree with me will gather around me and we will have a clique. It works the same way for the one who was rude; a group will gather around him, and they will become a clique. As Benedict says, "it can be a most serious source and occasion of contention."
It is no mistake that tomorrow's section of the rule is about striking another monk at will. If I defend you to the point of getting into a fist fight on your behalf, then what have I done to the peace of the monastery?
This applies to the LCG in almost the same way. No position, no matter how dearly held, is worth destroying the peace of the LCG. Pet projects, positions, people, etc., nothing is worth the destruction of the peace of our community.
May God bring us altogether to everlasting life.
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