Chapter 2: Gifts needed by an abbot or abbess (paragraph 2)
However, it is also true that, if the flock has been unruly and disobedient and the superiors have done everything possible as shepherds to cure their vicious ways, then they will be absolved in the judgement of God and may say with the psalmist: I have not hidden your teaching in my heart; I have proclaimed your truth and the salvation you offer, but they despised and rejected me. (From para. 2 of Ch. 2 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)
I have not hidden your teaching in my heart: Meditation teaches me that the experience of Self must jump from heart to heart, recognizing with joy the source of divine energy within each of us.
“I have not hidden your teachings in my heart; I have proclaimed your truth and the salvation you offer”. Abba, your love encourages me to write these few words. I must confront my perfectionistic fear and raise my tiny voice in your praise. And I experience once more the joy of surrender as you and I make art together, the art piece of today.
ReplyDeleteBecause of my stage of life, this passage speaks to me as a stay-at-home dad of six year old and eight year old boys (my flock), who are most definitely unruly and can be (one more than a few occasions!) disobedient. I think St. Benedict is communicating to me the idea of parenting with holy detachment. My meditation is essential to this parental detachment (not neglect!) as it helps me to remain calm, be in the present moment, and better recognize the root causes of my sons' behavior. As always, it is an imperfect struggle, but I thank the Lord for giving me the gift of His presence in my heart, and I seek daily through meditation to draw closer to Him, and to Him as present in my sons' hearts.
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