Chapter 2: Gifts needed by an abbot or abbess (paragraph 7)
It is the task of the superiors to adapt with sympathetic understanding to the needs of each so that they may not only avoid any loss but even have the joy of increasing the number of good sheep in the flock committed to them. (From para. 7 of Ch. 2 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
I think this says something about creating community. Sympathetic understanding could easily be superficial unless it's grounded in true self-knowledge. True self-knowledge is an attractive power -- a unifying power of the Spirit -- that calls out to others who also desire union with their Source.
My human desire for accomplishments blur the lines of 'symphatetic understanding' towards other people. St. Benedict reminds me to give premium to virtue that will not bring material goods but personal and communal harmony.
ReplyDelete“ . . . if we persist in treating ourselves trivially we will mortally damage our capacity in this life to receive the divine gift. Meditation is the cure for triviality.” (John Main, “ Monastery Without Walls” Kindle loc 3543). Self-respect grows with the silence, stillness and simplicity of the mantra.
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