Whatever

Vanessa S. Perdomo
Sister Laura Swan
Religion 111
9/16/2012
“The Rule of Saint Benedict”
I must be honest as soon I began reading the book I got defensive and hesitant to continue. I was quick to judge and did take Saint Benedict’s word to literal which created the misunderstanding. You continue to read you acknowledge that he is a well prepared man, paid attention to his surroundings, andlistened to the wise. Saint Benedict took what he understood and made his own interpretations that are now what we call the rules. I have great respect on the dedication of others who follow and made a decision in their life like this one.
I still continue debating on the book and decided to stick with the phrase “I’m only responsible of what I say; not what you understand”. Why you mightask? Well, simple most of us that we read the book might felt judged, condescending or just have strong feeling of disagreement towards a few ideas of Saint Benedict. Let me begin with the Monastics. I agree but I feel that one should be solitary at first to “wrestle the devil on their own” before submitting themselves to rule of life and to the community’s leadership. One should know themselvesbefore being a leader for others. As for the idealists who are called “the worst kind” a bit harsh on the description of the lost, aren’t we “Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself”. I understand he is trying to make a point but in a few areas of the book I would find myself thinking (we need other choice of words).
In another note when he described the “Abba” or “Amma”. I agreed when he statesthat he or she should avoid favoritism, yet he later adds “unless she finds that someone is in fact better listening and doing” wouldn’t that cause for other have a resentment towards that person. I mean it happens. We are human and jealous by nature. I just feel that is a pull and push situation. He expresses that we should be equal but then again he later adds that she can “change anyone’sposition in the community for sake of justice”, which means there was a “classification system”. As he describes it should be a service but the immense responsibility that falls on the person is crazy, not even a job. I have a new level of respect he or she whom does this, for I know I’m weak and my will still is in progress.
As I continue to read I came across a question in chapter six. I’mstruck with the question on what about impure thoughts? He explains that we should keep silent and that even if it’s insightful or well-intentioned thought is better to hold our tongue. I interpret as before we speak, we should learn how to listen, because with silence and observation we can learn humility and respect. So what about impure thoughts or just plain thoughts? I speak from experience, Imight be in a conversation and my mind would wonder off. I don’t do it in purpose but I feel sometimes certain situation doesn’t require my devoted attention. What to do in that circumstance? Should I just work on my attention span?
All comes back again to the fact that my entire questionnaire has to do because my era? We live in the generation that when you don’t like, something speak up,something that you dislike happened, complain because in today’s society if you don’t release “stress” in other words complain then can cause a lot of health problems. I can’t help to wonder what would Saint Benedict would say about that and maybe elaborate even more. I feel he could expand more in his rules and also languages have evolved since he wrote the rules. Some things have been taking out ofcontext or is just me.
Enough about complaining and writing about what I don’t like. After everything I did enjoy the reading and his input in life was spot on. We can all relate and any stage of our life to the book and we can learn a few things from it. God knows we are in need of it. Like in chapter seven he divides humility into twelve steps in the ladder that leads to heaven: first fear...