THE RULE OF BENEDICT: INSIGHTS FOR THE AGES
Joan Chittister, OSB
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Jan. 31 - June 1 - Oct. 1
The third step of humility is that we submit to the prioress in all obedience for the love of God, imitating Jesus Christ of whom the apostle says: "Christ became obedient even to death (Phil. 2:8).
Benedict argues that the third rung on the ladder of humility is the ability to submit ourselves to the wisdom of another. We are not the last word, the final answer, the clearest insight into anything. We have one word among many to contribute to the mosaic of life, one answer of many answers, one insight out of multiple perspectives.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 1 - June 2 - Oct. 2
The fourth step of humility is that in this obedience under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, our hearts quietly embrace suffering and endure it without weakening or seeking escape. For Scripture has it: "Anyone who perseveres to the end will be saved (Mt. 10:22)," and again, "Be brave of heart and rely on God (Ps. 27:14)." Another passage shows how the faithful must endure everything, even contradiction, for the sake of God, saying in the person of those who suffer, "For your sake we are put to death continually; we are regarded as sheep marked for slaughter (Rom. 8:36; Ps. 44:22)."
They are so confident in their expectation of reward from God that they continue joyfully and say, "But in all this we overcome because of Christ who so greatly loved us (Rom. 8:37)." Elsewhere Scripture says: "O God, you have tested us, you have tried us as silver is tried by fire; you have led us into a snare, you have placed afflictions on our backs (Ps. 66:10-11)." Then, to show that we ought to be under a prioress, it adds: "You have placed others over our heads (Ps. 66:12)."
In truth, those who are patient amid hardships and unjust treatment are fulfilling God's command: "When struck on one cheek, they turn the other; when deprived of their coat, they offer their cloak also; when pressed into service for one mile, they go two (Mt. 5:39-41)." With the apostle Paul, they bear with "false sisters and brothers, endure persecution, and bless those who curse them (2 Cor. 11:26; 1 Cor. 4:12)."
God does not come on hoofbeats of mercury through streets of gold. God is in the dregs of our lives. That's why it takes humility to find God where God is not expected to be.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 2 - June 3 - Oct. 3
The fifth step of humility is that we do not conceal from the prioress any sinful thoughts entering our hearts, or any wrongs committed in secret, but rather confess them humbly. Concerning this, Scripture exhorts us: "Make known your way to God and hope in God (Ps. 37:5)." And again, "Confess to God, for goodness and mercy endure forever (Ps. 106:1; Ps. 118:1)." So too the prophet: "To you I have acknowledged my offense; my faults I have not concealed. I have said: Against myself I will report my faults to you, and you have forgiven the wickedness of my heart (Ps. 32:5)."
Humility such as this gives us energy to face the world Once we ourselves admit what we are, what other criticism can possibly demean us or undo us or diminish us.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 3 - June 4 - Oct. 4
The sixth step of humility is that we are content with the lowest and most menial treatment, and regard ourselves as a poor and worthless worker in whatever task we are given, saying with the prophet: "I am insignificant and ignorant, no better than a beast before you, yet I am with you always (Ps. 73:22-23)."
Benedict tells us that it is bad for the soul to have to have more than the necessary, that it gluts us, that it protects us in Plexiglas from the normal, the natural. Benedict says that the goal of life is not to amass things but to get the most out of whatever little we have.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 4 - June 5 - Oct. 5
The seventh step of humility is that we not only admit with our tongues but are also convinced in our hearts that we are inferior to all and of less value, humbling ourselves and saying with the prophet: "I am truly a worm, not even human, scorned and despised by all (Ps. 22:7)." "I was exalted, then I was humbled and overwhelmed with confusion (Ps. 88:16)." And again, "It is a blessing that you have humbled me so that I can learn your commandments (Ps. 119:71, 73)."
At one stage of life, the temptation is to think that no human being alive could ever really believe themselves to be "inferior to all and of less value." At a later stage in life you begin to understand that secretly everybody thinks exactly that and that's why we deny it with such angst to ourselves and such unfairness to others. We set out systematically to hide the truth of it by clutching at money and degrees and positions and power and exhaust ourselves in the attempt to look better than we fear we really are.
CHAPTER 7.HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 5 - June 6 - Oct. 6
The eighth step of humility is that we do only what is endorsed by the common rule of the monastery and the example set by the prioress.
Our living communities have a great deal to teach us. All we need is respect for experience and the comforting kind of faith that it takes to do what we cannot now see to be valuable, but presume to be holy because we see the holiness that it has produced in those who have gone before us in the family and the church.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 6 - June 7 - Oct. 7
The ninth step of humility is that we control our tongues and remain silent, not speaking unless asked a question, for Scripture warns, "In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning (Prv. 10:19)," and, "A talkative person goes about aimlessly on earth (Ps 140:12)."
Humility is what makes the powerful accessible to the powerless. Humility is what allows poor nations a demand on rich ones. Humility is what enables the learned to learn from the wise.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 7 - June 8 - Oct. 8
The tenth step of humility is that we are not given to ready laughter, for it is written: "Only fools raise their voices in laughter (Sir 21:23)."
In the tenth degree of humility, Benedict does not forbid humor. On the contrary, Benedict is insisting that we take our humor very seriously. Everything we laugh at is not funny. Some things we laugh at are, in fact, tragic and need to be confronted.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 8 - June 9 - Oct. 9
The eleventh step of humility is that we speak gently and without laughter, seriously and with becoming modesty, briefly and reasonably, but without raising our voices, as it is written: "The wise are known by few words."
"Settling in low places," being gentle with others and soft in our comments and kind in our hearts and calm in our responses, never heckling, never smothering the other with noise or derision is an aspect of Benedictine spirituality that the world might well afford to revisit.
CHAPTER 7. HUMILITY - Continued
Feb. 9 - June 10 - Oct. 10
The twelfth step of humility is that we always manifest humility in our bearing no less than in our hearts, so that it is evident at the Opus Dei, in the oratory, the monastery or the garden, on a journey or in the field, or anywhere else. Whether sitting, walking or standing, our heads must be bowed and our eyes cast down. Judging ourselves always guilty on account of our sins, we should consider that we are already at the fearful judgment, and constantly say in our hearts what the publican in the Gospel said with downcast eyes: "I am a sinner, not worthy to look to the heavens (Lk. 18:13)." And with the prophet: "I am bowed down and humbled in every way (Ps. 38:7-9; Ps. 119:107)."
Now, therefore, after ascending all these steps of humility, we will quickly arrive at the "perfect love" of God which "casts out fear (1 Jn. 4:18)." Through this love, all that we once performed with dread, we will now begin to observe without effort, as though naturally, from habit, no longer out of fear of hell, but out of love for Christ, good habit and delight in virtue. All this God will by the Holy Spirit graciously manifest in us now cleansed of vices and sins.
Humility, the lost virtue of the twentieth century, is crying to heaven for rediscovery. The development of nations, the preservation of the globe, the achievement of human community may well depend on it.
CHAPTER 8. THE DIVINE OFFICE AT NIGHT
Feb. 10 - June 11 - Oct. 11
During the winter season, that is, from the first of November until Easter, it seems reasonable to arise at the eighth hour of the night. By sleeping until a little past the middle of the night, the community can arise with their food fully digested. In the time remaining after Vigils, those who need to learn some of the Psalter or readings should study them.
Between Easter and the first of November mentioned above, the time for Vigils should be adjusted so that a very short interval after Vigils will give the members opportunity to care for nature's needs. Then, at daybreak, Lauds should follow immediately.
Prayer, as Abba Agathon implies, is hard and taxing and demanding work. It breaks us open to the designs of God for life. It brings great insights and it demands great responses.
CHAPTER 9. THE NUMBER OF PSALMS AT THE NIGHT OFFICE
Feb. 11 - June 12 - Oct. 12
During the winter season, Vigils begin with the verse: "O God, open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise (Ps. 51:17)." After this has been said three times, the following order is observed: Psalm 3 with Doxology; Psalm 9 with a refrain, or at least chanted; an Ambrosian hymn; then six psalms with refrain.
After the psalmody, a versicle is said and the prioress gives a blessing. When all are seated on the benches, the members in turn read three selections from the book on the lectern. After each reading a responsory is sung. The Doxology is not sung after the first two responsories, but only after the third reading. As soon as the cantor begins to sing the Doxology, let all rise from their seats in honor and reverence for the Holy Trinity. Besides the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments, the works read at Vigils should include explanations of scripture by reputable and orthodox writers.
When these three readings and their responsories have been finished, the remaining six psalms are sung with an "alleluia" refrain. This ended, there follow a reading from the apostle recited by heart, a versicle and the litany, that is, "Christ, have mercy." And so Vigils are concluded.
Here, as a result of these concepts, is a prayer life grounded in faith, witness, attention, and serious study. Here is a prayer life that is serious, not superficial; concentrated not comfortable; full of witness, full of faith.
CHAPTER 10. THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE NIGHT OFFICE IN SUMMER
Feb. 12 - June 13 - Oct. 13
From Easter until the first of November, the winter arrangement for the number of psalms is followed. But because summer nights are shorter, the readings from the book are omitted. In place of the three readings, one from the Old Testament is substituted. This is to be recited by heart, followed by a short responsory. In everything else, the winter arrangement for Vigils is kept. Thus, winter and summer, there are never fewer than twelve psalms at Vigils, not counting Psalms 3 and 95.
The very fact that when the seasons change and the nights grow shorter Benedict chooses to abbreviate the prayer time of the community rather than the sleeping time of the community gives short shrift to the notion of Benedictine spirituality as asceticism for its own sake or religion gone berserk or self-destruction masking as piety.
CHAPTER 11. THE CELEBRATION OF VIGILS ON SUNDAY
Feb. 13 - June 14 - Oct. 14
On Sunday the community should arise earlier for Vigils. In these Vigils, too, there must be moderation in quantity: first, as we have already indicated, six psalms are said, followed by a versicle. Then the members, seated on the benches and arranged in their proper order, listen to four readings from the book. After each reading a responsory is sung, but the Doxology is added only to the fourth. When the cantor begins it, all immediately rise in reverence.
After these readings the same order is repeated: six more psalms with refrain as before, a versicle, then four more readings and their responsories, as above. Next, three canticles from the prophets, chosen by the prioress, are said with an "alleluia" refrain. After a versicle and the prioress= blessing, four New Testament readings follow with their responsories, as above. After the fourth responsory, the prioress begins the hymn "We praise you, God." When that is finished, she reads from the Gospels while all stand with respect and awe. At the conclusion of the Gospel reading, all reply "Amen," and immediately the prioress intones the hymn "To you be praise." After a final blessing, Lauds begin.
This arrangement for Sunday Vigils should be followed at all times, summer and winter, unless - God forbid - the members happen to arise too late. In that case, the readings or responsories will have to be shortened. Let special care be taken that this not happen, but if it does, the one at fault is to make due satisfaction to God in the oratory.
By treating the recitation of the Sunday Office in a special way Benedict teaches all of us something fresh about prayer today. The fact is that prayer is not to be a series of mindless mechanics in life. Prayer is the development of an attitude of mind that is concentrated and contemplative.
CHAPTER 12. THE CELEBRATION OF THE SOLEMNITY OF LAUDS
Feb. 14 - June 15 - Oct. 15
Sunday Lauds begin with Psalm 67, said straight through without a refrain. Then Psalm 51 follows with an "alleluia" refrain. Lauds continue with Psalms 118 and 63, the Canticle of the Three Young Men, Psalms 148 through 150, a reading from the Apocalypse recited by heart and followed by a responsory, an Ambrosian hymn, a versicle, the gospel canticle, the litany and the conclusion.
Every Sunday morning, just as day breaks, Benedict asks us to say five specific psalms: Psalm 67 asks for God's continuing blessings, Psalm 51 gives voice to our contrition, Psalm 118 recounts God's goodness in times past, Psalm 62 pours out a longing for God, and Psalms 148-150 bring the soul to a burst of praise.
0 comments:
Post a Comment