Monday, August 4, 2008

RB Reflection: 4 August 2008

Chapter 53.1-14

All guests who present themselves are to be welcomes as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25:35). Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith (Gal. 6:10) and to pilgrims.

Once a guest has been announced, the superior and the brothers are to meet him with all the courtesy of love. First of all, they are to pray together and thus be united in peace, but prayer must always precede the kiss of peace because of the delusions of the devil.

All humility should be shown in addressing a guest on arrival or departure. By a bow of the head or by a complete prostration of the body, Christ is to be adored because he is indeed welcomed in them. After the guests have been received, they should be invited to pray; then the superior or an appointed brother will sit with them. The divine law is read to the guest for his instruction, and after that every kindness is shown to him. The superior may break his fast for the sake of a guest, unless it is a day of special fast which cannot be broken. The brothers, however, observe the usual fast. The abbot shall pour water on the hands of the guests, and the abbot with the entire community shall wash their feet. After the washing they will recite this verse: God we have received your mercy in the midst of your temple (Ps 47[48]:10).

Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving poor people and pilgrims, because in them more particularly Christ is received; our very awe of the rich guarantees them special respect.

I'm not sure how I would react if every time I went to the monastery I were greeted in such a fashion. However, as is often done in these reflections, we shall pass over much, in order to concentrate on a little.
All guests who present themselves are to be welcomes as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25:35).
Yesterday at our monthly meeting for the Louisville LCG we discussed the concept of seeing God. How does one see God? Is it like looking at the sun? Or is it like calm eye in the hurricane?

Benedict, indeed, the scriptures, seem to say that we encounter Christ/God in each other. I speak only for myself, but to see God I need only look at you, or the stranger, or the neighbor, or the traveler. The better question to ask is where can you look and not see God?

Benedict in this chapter is telling us all, monk, nun, and Lay Cistercian alike, to never be the person who in the last moment says, "when did I see you Lord and not welcome you?" Because then Jesus will answer, "whenever you did it to the least of my children."

May God lead us altogether to everlasting life.

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