I thought about the title for this inspirational piece when I was reading one of Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister’s blogs. She is meditating on the world’s political situation and, of course, she is offering interesting insights. In the process, she considers autocratic rulers and this leads her to think about the focus on humility in St. Benedict’s Rule, which of course she regularly works through three times annually. I was particularly drawn to her thoughts on humility and how that relates to obedience.
In the Benedictine Rule we can see the highlighted focus on humility. Clearly the monks who follow Benedict and his Rule (sixth century) were wary of pride. We all know that pride is a sign of an ego out of control. Humility is the antidote. Humility grounds us and keeps us centered. Benedict has a number of degrees of humility. As Chisttister acknowledges, the first two degrees are not problematic. But she lands on the third degree and shares how she has wrestled with this one. That third degree says “that we submit to the authority of others in all obedience for the love of God.”
Every time I read this part of Benedict’s Rule, I have the same reaction as the younger Joan Chittister had. I feel myself pull back. Most of us probably don’t want to submit to anybody---maybe even God! This does not discount the countless stories of authorities demanding and, sometimes, forcing submission. American slavery is probably the worst case scenario. But too often, women and kids have experienced this kind of unwanted submission. And so when Benedict asks that of his followers, it is easy to see Sister Joan recoiling.
Over the years, however, she has come to terms with it. She has learned that submitting to the authority of others needs interpretation. The key for her was to realize the important aspect of that third degree of humility was submitting to the authority of others “in all obedience for the love of God.” It was not putting yourself under the power of a tyrant. God is not a tyrant! A number of things result in this maturing understanding of Chittister.
The first thing she notes is “Learning to listen, to take seriously, those who were entrusted with the development of our lives had more to do with growth than it did with repression.” This stunned me. Listening---which is what obedience means in both Greek and Latin---has more to do with growth than repression. Probably most of us associate obedience with repression. That’s why we want nothing to do with it. But what if it really is more closely associated with growth? Then count me in.
Chittister continues claiming that “Learning to consider the insights and understanding of others is not the end of autonomy. It is the beginning of humility.” The Benedictine Sister is correct to see what is at stake is our sense of autonomy. We don’t want someone else running our life. She nuances this when she assures us that considering the insights and understanding of others does not mean we lose our sense of autonomy. To the contrary, we might be enhanced by incorporating the appropriate insights and understanding of those to which we submit.
Chittister next turns her attention to rules. She comments that “Rules, in fact, have a great deal to do with initial formation in anything. They bring order out of chaos; they give direction to everything we do.” I like this perspective on rules, since many people would rather do away with them. We feel that rules repress or depress us. But Chittister says rules can help in the early formation process. The gives a sense of direction. And they prevent chaos from overtaking us.
The Benedictine Sister then adds a twist. She tells us, “At the same time, the truth is that as we grow into the rules, we also grow out of them. We test the credibility of social norms; we examine their effects on people. We decide what we're willing to obey, and why — and what we're not willing to obey, and why.” To see it this way feels liberating rather than repressing. It is easy to say “ok” with this view of obedience. Chittister adds that “obedience has spiritual dimensions that are the launchpad of personal growth and public accountability…” Most of us are up for growth and accountability.
This is a wonderful way to link humility and growth. They are linked by the bridge of obedience. In fact it may be difficult to think about ways we can grow without some form of humility. Growth normally means we are not there yet. We must guard again the pride of feeling like we are already “there,” whatever ‘there” means. Spiritually being “there” means being fully the person God wants us to be.
I don’t expect in this lifetime to get “there.” Humility keeps me on the path. Obedience enables me to continue to walk the path. And this inevitably will lead to growth. Our path is growth, not perfection. When Jesus told the disciples to be perfect, he meant perfect in the sense of completed or fulfilled (the original Greek meaning). To reach that end will require a base of humility upon which obedience builds leading to growth.
In the Benedictine Rule we can see the highlighted focus on humility. Clearly the monks who follow Benedict and his Rule (sixth century) were wary of pride. We all know that pride is a sign of an ego out of control. Humility is the antidote. Humility grounds us and keeps us centered. Benedict has a number of degrees of humility. As Chisttister acknowledges, the first two degrees are not problematic. But she lands on the third degree and shares how she has wrestled with this one. That third degree says “that we submit to the authority of others in all obedience for the love of God.”
Every time I read this part of Benedict’s Rule, I have the same reaction as the younger Joan Chittister had. I feel myself pull back. Most of us probably don’t want to submit to anybody---maybe even God! This does not discount the countless stories of authorities demanding and, sometimes, forcing submission. American slavery is probably the worst case scenario. But too often, women and kids have experienced this kind of unwanted submission. And so when Benedict asks that of his followers, it is easy to see Sister Joan recoiling.
Over the years, however, she has come to terms with it. She has learned that submitting to the authority of others needs interpretation. The key for her was to realize the important aspect of that third degree of humility was submitting to the authority of others “in all obedience for the love of God.” It was not putting yourself under the power of a tyrant. God is not a tyrant! A number of things result in this maturing understanding of Chittister.
The first thing she notes is “Learning to listen, to take seriously, those who were entrusted with the development of our lives had more to do with growth than it did with repression.” This stunned me. Listening---which is what obedience means in both Greek and Latin---has more to do with growth than repression. Probably most of us associate obedience with repression. That’s why we want nothing to do with it. But what if it really is more closely associated with growth? Then count me in.
Chittister continues claiming that “Learning to consider the insights and understanding of others is not the end of autonomy. It is the beginning of humility.” The Benedictine Sister is correct to see what is at stake is our sense of autonomy. We don’t want someone else running our life. She nuances this when she assures us that considering the insights and understanding of others does not mean we lose our sense of autonomy. To the contrary, we might be enhanced by incorporating the appropriate insights and understanding of those to which we submit.
Chittister next turns her attention to rules. She comments that “Rules, in fact, have a great deal to do with initial formation in anything. They bring order out of chaos; they give direction to everything we do.” I like this perspective on rules, since many people would rather do away with them. We feel that rules repress or depress us. But Chittister says rules can help in the early formation process. The gives a sense of direction. And they prevent chaos from overtaking us.
The Benedictine Sister then adds a twist. She tells us, “At the same time, the truth is that as we grow into the rules, we also grow out of them. We test the credibility of social norms; we examine their effects on people. We decide what we're willing to obey, and why — and what we're not willing to obey, and why.” To see it this way feels liberating rather than repressing. It is easy to say “ok” with this view of obedience. Chittister adds that “obedience has spiritual dimensions that are the launchpad of personal growth and public accountability…” Most of us are up for growth and accountability.
This is a wonderful way to link humility and growth. They are linked by the bridge of obedience. In fact it may be difficult to think about ways we can grow without some form of humility. Growth normally means we are not there yet. We must guard again the pride of feeling like we are already “there,” whatever ‘there” means. Spiritually being “there” means being fully the person God wants us to be.
I don’t expect in this lifetime to get “there.” Humility keeps me on the path. Obedience enables me to continue to walk the path. And this inevitably will lead to growth. Our path is growth, not perfection. When Jesus told the disciples to be perfect, he meant perfect in the sense of completed or fulfilled (the original Greek meaning). To reach that end will require a base of humility upon which obedience builds leading to growth.
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