Monastic spirituality is not an easy way to go.
Not when
taken seriously.
Not when we have a Rule and seasoned guides to lead us.
In
light of a Rule and guides, we are not, in choosing this monastic pathway as a
way of life, left to our own imaginations and notions. We cannot, for the sake
of our souls, imitate Hophni and Phineas in choosing only the portions that
suit our tastes,[2] live
as the Sarabaites and Gyrovagues described by Saint Benedict,[3]
and, in the end, go out of this life to meet God having accomplished nothing
more than affirming others in the errors of their ways.
The way is difficult.
The way is long.
The farther we go, the steeper the climb becomes if we are
indeed daily living to add fire to fire, fervour to fervour, zeal to zeal,
love to love as those who are faithful and wise monastics. The same
holds true for Christians in general if they are sincerely endeavoring to be
followers of Jesus.
Saint Benedict offers encouragement when he says to us, “Do
not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to
salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this
way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our
hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”[4]
Abba John Climacus tells us in The Ladder of Divine Ascent that “All who enter
upon the good fight, which is hard and narrow, but also easy, must realize that
they must leap into the fire, if they really expect the celestial fire to dwell
in them.”
I do not know about easy. I do know that the hard and
narrow way becomes easier as we interiorize this way of life rather than
merely mulling it over in our minds.
In his chapter on The Tools of Good Works, Saint Benedict tells
his students …
Obey the commands of the Abbot in all things, even though
he himself (which Heaven forbid) act otherwise, mindful of that precept of the
Lord: "What they say, do ye; what they do, do ye not" (Mt 23:3). Not
to desire to be called holy before one is; but to be holy first, that one may
be truly so called. To fulfil daily the
commandments of God by works.[5]
Obedience may indeed, and of necessity, begin as an
exteriorly motivated performance … the Bible says … the Rule says … the
catechism says … therefore I yield and obey. Exteriorly motivated obedience
is legitimate obedience, immature though it be. It must, however, develop into
something interiorly generated as the fruit of our faith. As long as we are
still weighing these principles to determine whether or not they are worth
living, whether or not they are applicable to our lives, we are yet far from
the childlike docility that is the nature and character of true obedience.[6]
I always feel a deep sense of reluctance when writing these
reflections. It is not so much a reluctance to spend time reflecting and
writing. The sense of reluctance is in placing the outcome on a blog for the
entire world to see. The sense of reluctance is in “sharing” them in groups
made possible by the genius of internet technology. There is a side of me that constantly
asks, “Where is the humility in that?”
It would, in all honesty, be much easier for me to live in
anonymity as a recluse.
Yet, even with these hermit traits that make long seasons in
solitude a friendly ally, I realize the importance of community and recognize the
dangers inherent in isolation where lack of personal accountability can lead a
person in dangerous directions. So, these reflections become public [1] where monastic
minded peers can hold me accountable, [2] to perhaps encourage other likeminded
peers as they walk their monastic pathway, and [3] maybe, just maybe, introduce
a passerby to this way of life.
There is definitely a “works” element involved. I am merely
doing my best to be obedient and faithful to the vocation that I said yes to
when I signed my Promises on the altar at the Abbey in September of 2007. If
anyone discovers something in these reflections that encourages and helps them
along their way, it is only because the One who bestows the celestial fire has
kindled some illumination to bring his warmth and light.
Let us, then, as those seeking to be faithful and wise,
continue on living daily adding fire to fire, fervour to fervour, zeal to
zeal, love to love.
[1]
The Ladder of Divine Ascent
[2]
Sons of Samuel.
[3]
Holy Rule 1:6-11
[4]
Holy Rule, Prologue 48-49
[5]
Holy Rule 4:61-63
[6]
Matthew 18:3 Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall
not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
No comments:
Post a Comment