Chapter 70. The Presumption of Striking Another Monk at Will
In the monastery every occasion for presumption is to be avoided, and so we decree that no one has the authority to excommunicate or strike any of his brothers unless he has been given this power by the abbot. Those who sin should be reprimanded in the presence of all, that the rest may fear (I Tim. 5:20). Boys up to the age of fifteen should, however, be carefully controlled and supervised by everyone, provided that this too is done with moderation and common sense.
If a brother, without the abbot's command, assumes any power over those older or, even in regard to boys, flares up and treats them unreasonably, he is to be subjected to the discipline of the rule. after all, it is written: Never do to another what you do not want done to yourself (Tob. 4:16)
I hope that people in monastery today do not hit each other as apparently they did in the Dark Ages. The violence of the fist: we all know how powerful that is. The violence of the word: ah, that violence is almost more destructive. We have all known people who would "cuss you out" at the drop of a hat. What's worse, other people would encourage this in them because they liked to hear the hurtful things said. "They had it coming." Or, "They asked for it." Those are the common justifications. There is no justifying such a thing.
As LCG we are trying to live a life where violence and hurtful words are banished from our personal actions. Making accusations, pressing for ones own point of view over everyone else around you, gossiping like people who've never heard the gospel; all of these are acts of violence against the community. In this chapter Benedict is addressing a rowdy crowd of monks in a world where the barbarian invasions are a fact of life. Also, he is addressing us who hold the barbarian within our selves, and have made a commitment to live by the Rule of Life!
Just because we don't smack each other around -- which is, oh, so tempting in some cases -- doesn't mean that we are free from the violence implied in this chapter. Words can be violent. Are your words violent?
May God bring us altogether to everlasting life.
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