These times in which we live are characterized by turmoil -
by huge measures of shaking, quaking, uncertainty, and instability - where the
world’s politics, economics, and morality are concerned.
The turmoil unavoidably affects all of us – emotionally,
physically, spiritually.
I remind myself that these conditions are not unique. Our 21st
Century times are not the first time in the history of humanity that these
conditions generated their inhospitable effects.
I remind myself that this
modern human environment is not so far removed from the human environment that
surrounded Benedict when he renounced the world and began his monastic
adventure in the solitude of a cave some thirty miles from Rome at Subiaco.
I also remind myself of the enduring positive effects that
Benedict had, and continues to have, on the complexion of humanity. The effect is
not as dramatic in our modern climate – not yet.
Though I may not be able to see it with my natural eyes, I
remind myself that the same God at work in the life of Benedict, and in the
lives of those men and women that gave themselves to God in the Benedictine
tradition over the centuries, this same God is at work today in the not yet.
It is here, in the 21st Century not yet, where I live in representation
of this same God who resides in heaven and in the hearts of those who receive
him. It is here, in this not yet,
that I live as a representative of my Benedictine fathers and brothers who
reside in the monastery and in the heart of God. It is here, in the not yet,
that I remind myself that no gross amount of verbiage on my part will ever
affect another human more than the living and breathing model that I present in
person.
“The workshop where we
are to toil faithfully at all these tasks is the enclosure of the monastery and
stability in the community."[1]
Benedictine monks take a vow of stability within the
environment of the monastic community.
Oblates of Saint Benedict make a promise of stability within
the environment of the community where they live, move, and have their being.
The vow (and promise) definitely has an important something
to do with place. Monks vow to stay
their lives in the monastic community with their brothers (or sisters as the
case may be with women living the professed life). Oblates promise their love
and loyalty to the monastery where they are received into community with their
monastic brothers and sisters.
Our vows and promises have a greater important something to
do where personal relationships are concerned. They have to do with daily committing to be present and available - stable in the sense of being emotionally
even-keeled and approachable.
Without this greater important something, a monk could
isolate himself from others within their environmental community. Without this
greater important something, an Oblate could withdraw from relationships in
their surrounding environmental community. Withdrawal from human relationships
– withdrawal from human community – is not an aspect of Benedictine
spirituality.
Honoring the vow of stability (in the case of the monk) and
honoring the promise of stability (in the case of the Oblate) means a
commitment to being present in mind and in body while seeking to participate
with others beyond a mere superficial level of recognition. Stability calls us
to share our very life with all its bumps, warts, and bruises. It also calls us
to share in the lives of others despite their bumps, warts, and bruises. It
calls us to acceptance, commonality, and community.
A promise to the intentions and ideals of stability can be a hurdle for
people intent upon living life according to their own terms.
I readily admit that Benedictine stability is a challenge to
me. My first response to people and situations that go against my grain and rub
me the wrong way relationally is to close down, recoil, and walk away rather
than to look deeper, understand more clearly, and to love more fully.
Boy does this ever speak to my natural inclinations... without God in my life, I would have a real problem staying engaged with people. Thank God for Him and His grace.
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