RB Reflections: 6 August 2008

Chapter 54. Letters or Gifts for Monks

In no circumstances is a monk allowed, unless the abbot says he may, to exchange letters, blessed tokens or small gifts of any kind, with his parents without previously telling the abbot. If the abbot orders acceptance, he still has the power to give the gift to whom he will; and the brother for whom it was originally sent must not be distressed, lest occasion be given to the devil (Eph. 4:27; 1 Tim 5:14). Whoever presumes to act otherwise will be subjected to the discipline of the rule.

I admit to being clueless on this one. I'm pretty sure it does not mean that if monk-mom X sends cookies to monk X, that the abbot should say, "oh, monk Z likes cookies so give them to him." That type of thing would make the abbot a tyrant, and that is not what Benedict is saying. What I believe he is saying here for the monastic is "look, you came here of your own free will to leave the world: so leave it." Even in the case of babies given to the monastery, the parents are forbidden from making contact with the boy again.

That's nice, interesting trivia on the life of 6th century monks. So what's it got to do with Lay Cistercians? Let's think about that little boy given as a baby to the monks to raise. If he grows up in the monastery then that is his home and his family. If his mom and dad are constantly sending him presents, or sneaking to find ways to see him, then they are creating a situation that is certain to divide the lads loyalty.

As Lay Cistercians we must not divide our loyalty. We have taken on a Rule of Life, and vowed to follow Christ in the same charism of Citeaux that is shared with us by the monks and nuns, through the gift of the Holy Spirit. This chapter is telling us to not be turning back to our pre-converted selves and sneaking visits or gifts from our old ways. Just as it's dangerous for the reformed alcoholic to attend a drinking party, it is dangerous for those in conversion to participate in any of their "old ways."