RB Reflections: 16 August 2008

chapter 61, 6-14

But if during his stay he has been found excessive in his demands or full of faults, he should certainly not be admitted as a member of the community. Instead, he should be politely told to depart, lest his wretched ways contaminate others.

If, however, he has shown that he is not the kind of man who deserves to be dismissed, let him, on his request, be received as a member of the community. He should even be urged to stay, so that others may learn from his example, because wherever we may be, we are in the service of the same Lord and doing battle for the same King. Further, the abbot may set such a man in a somewhat higher place in the community, if he sees that he deserves it. In fact, whether is is a monk or someone in the priestly or clerical orders mentioned above, the abbot has the power to set any of them above the place that corresponds to the date of his entry, if he sees that his life warrants it.

The abbot much, however, take care never to receive into the community a monk from another known monastery, unless the monk's abbot consents and sends a letter of recommendation, since it is written: Never do to another what you do not want done to yourself (Tobit 4:16).

Life is just full of exceptions, isn't it? Not three days ago we learned from Benedict that even priests who enter the monastery must take their place at the bottom of the totem pole. Today we read that if the abbot likes, he may raise the monk, even the priest, to whatever place he likes. That smells a bit like the abbot as absolute tyrant, and I know that is not what Benedict means.

Without pointing out the obvious about

If, however, he has shown that he is not the kind of man who deserves to be dismissed, let him, on his request, be received as a member of the community

we should be able to see that Benedict is speaking of someone of special insight, or in possession of some particular charism that would benefit all the brothers/sisters by placing such a person a little bit higher in the ranks. Perhaps remembering that the abbot is to do all things for the good of his community, then the raising and lowering of people on the ranks may be an important part of his work.

NOTA BENE: When I use examples in an effort to apply the Rule to Lay Cistercians, I am making the examples up. I am not basing them upon knowledge of someone, situation, or any other thing ,except my own imagination. The one exception is when I write about people who do not come to any meetings yet expect full rights as LCG. Even saying that, I know there are people who cannot come to Sunday meetings because they have to work on Sunday morning in their pulpits, etc. In that case, I'm not talking about you! So people, stop assuming I know all about you and your life and your personal situations. I do not. If I use an example about LCG, then I am making it up. That bears repeating. If I use an example about LCG, then I am making it up.

May God bring us altogether to everlasting life.