Chapter 61: Monastic pilgrims from far away  (paragraphs 1-2)

It may happen, of course, that one of them may find something to point out in criticism about the customs of the monastery, using sound arguments in a spirit of charitable deference. In that case the superior should consider the whole questions with care and prudence in case it was for this very purpose that the pilgrim was sent by the Lord. (From para. 1 of Ch. 61 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

My young adult child, venturing back home for a visit, seems a bit like a wary pilgrim coming from far away. St. Benedict reminds me to stay open, not to my expectations, but to the presence of the Spirit, even in strained reunions.