Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 3:1-6 Calling the Community for Counsel

Mass: Ac 22:30; 23:6-11; Resp Ps 16; Jn 17:20-26

In the monastery no one is to follow her own heart’s desire, nor shall anyone presume to contend with her abbess defiantly, or outside the monastery.

(RB 3:8)

It is thought-provoking to read today’s passage from the Acts of the Apostles along with Chapter 3 of the Holy Rule, ‘Calling the Community for Counsel’. St Benedict begins, ‘As often as anything is important to be done in the monastery, the abbess or abbot shall call the whole community together and herself explain what the business is, and after hearing the advice of the sisters, let her ponder it and follow what she judges the wiser course.’ The community has a role too: ‘The sisters, for their part, are to express their opinions with all humility, and not to presume to defend their own views obstinately.’ In the passage from Acts, the commander convenes the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin, a dispute breaks out between the gathered Sadducees and Pharisees, the group becomes divided and arguments ensue. The situation becomes so heated that Paul is removed from the midst of the crowd for fear he will be torn to pieces! I see sanity and civility coming from St Benedict’s ways of conducting business in a group. I see an example not to emulate in the situation between Paul and his adversaries. We recall Pope Francis’s words for the 50^th World Communications Day, 2016: What we say and how we say it, our every word and gesture, ought to express God’s compassion, tenderness and forgiveness for all. Love, by its nature, is communication; it leads to openness and sharing. If our hearts and actions are inspired by charity, by divine love, then our communication will be touched by God’s own power… I would like to encourage everyone to see society not as a forum where strangers compete and try to come out on top, but above all as a home or a family, where the door is always open and where everyone feels welcome.

Pour into our hearts your Holy Spirit,

that You may keep us in unity of spirit and the bond of peace.

(Aelred of Rievaulx)

Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter

Readings of the day: RB 2:1-10 Gifts Needed by an Abbess or Abbot

Mass: Ac 18:9-18; Resp Ps 47; Jn 16:20-23

Sr Kathy DeVico, Abbess, Redwoods Monastery

DO NOT BE AFRAID. GO ON SPEAKING,

AND DO NOT BE SILENT, FOR I AM WITH YOU.

When I was introduced to the Rule of St Benedict some 20 years ago, I was especially struck by the chapter we begin today, that is, Ch. 2 ‘The Qualities of the Abbot or Abbess.’ I reflected on those I knew who held leadership positions, bosses I had over the years and others with similar responsibilities. My first thought was that the spiritual and temporal leader of a monastic community has the most difficult job description I have ever read. Still, there are qualities called forth in the Abbess or Abbot that are relevant for any Christian in a leadership role be it supervisor, teacher, catechist, mother, father, elder, aunt, older sibling, etc. Here are just a few: 

• She must never teach or decree or command anything that would deviate from the Lord’s instructions.
• She must point out all that is good and holy more by example than by words. If she teaches that something is not to be done, then neither must she do it.
• She should avoid all favoritism.
• She is to show equal love to everyone.
• Remember to what you are called, aware that more will be expected of a person to whom more has been entrusted.

The last quality included I find most challenging. Why not try it in whatever environment you find yourself in today. May the living and true God grant us the grace. 

• She must accommodate and adapt herself to each one’s character and intelligence.

It is not good when we look down on others like heartless judges, lording it over them and always trying to teach them lessons. That is itself a subtle form of violence. Saint John of the Cross proposed a different path: “Always prefer to be taught by all, rather than to desire teaching even the least of all”. And he added advice on how to keep the devil at bay: “Rejoice in the good of others as if it were your own, and desire that they be given precedence over you in all things; this you should do wholeheartedly. You will thereby overcome evil with good, banish the devil, and possess a happy heart. Try to practise this all the more with those who least attract you. Realize that if you do not train yourself in this way, you will not attain real charity or make any progress in it”.

(Gaudete et Exsultate, 117)

AMEN, AMEN, I SAY TO YOU,

WHATEVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NMAE HE WILL GIVE YOU.

Lectio: Monday, Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of the day: RB 2:11-15; Col. 1:24-2:3; Resp. Psalm 62; Luke 6:6-11

Those who read the Qualities of the Abbess listed by Saint Benedict see clearly that the one chosen to care for and guide her sisters in community in their search for God has a daunting responsibility. Today we hear that the Abbess leads primarily by the example she sets; then by the words used in her teaching. Put another way, the Abbess is called to practice what she preaches.

Abbess Kathy and Sr Karen at Sr Karen's Solemn Profession

As we enter into this week of work and service, perhaps we can ask ourselves—how will I give witness to Christ, the hope for glory? What will I do specifically to encourage the hearts of others brought together in love, more by example than by words?

Lord of compassion and love, grant me the grace to live by your Word; to be a healing presence with gentleness and kindness; to save life rather than destroy it. You are my stronghold and refuge.