Chapter 55: Clothing and footwear for the community (paragraphs 3-5)
The superior ought to inspect the beds at regular intervals to see that private possessions are not being hoarded there. (From para. 3 of Ch. 55 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
Hoarding is a function of my ego, and my ego hoards more than things. Fidelity to the mantra allows the Spirit to inspect my soul, and this simplifies me.
“Figure it out, Wally!” “You have to read another book, should get another degree!” My ego’s favorite scolds and my greatest temptation: to stay in my head and in my hoard of thoughts and images, cavorting like that tree full of monkeys. But you invite me to lay all that aside, Abba, and once more become a child, become still and silent and simple. You call me again, and daily, to make that “one foot drop” from my head to my heart and reawaken to you, my ever-present Love.
ReplyDeleteHow much of the stuff in my life is really providing value? And how much just taking up energy?
ReplyDelete"All things necessary" are to be provided by the Abbott-certain basic material things, like clothes,and a shelter, and writing utensils(computer?),are necessary. Something happens to me with this chapter. I start focusing on what my ego needs and still does not have. Then I am gently reminded by Benedict that I live in community, small and large. If I have basics then my outlook needs to be ,like that of the Abbott, expanded to the "poor", and the "needy". That expansion can be as simple as seeing the needs of a newly married couple who used up the best wine at their wedding and helping them to avoid embarrassment. I have choices like this all around me, if I listen and see with my heart and respond.
ReplyDelete