I am amazed when stopping to consider the wisdom and compassion of St. Benedict toward those who looked to him for spiritual guidance. Even in the most challenging of topics, the monastic father suggested effective and gentle courses of correction. Remembering the cause of excommunication was prescribed in the last chapter. The grubbler, complainer, rebellious soul was subjected to such punishment. In this chapter, St. Benedict teaches that one size does not fit all, even in terms of discipline. He recognizes the need for balanced discipline based on the seriousness of the offense. He begins by suggesting punishment that on the surface appears mild, but ponder the effect and one recognizes the dual loss of provision for the body and the spirit.
In this second of eight chapters devoted to discipline, our saint sets a tone for punishment that is neither harshly out of proportion nor is it an angry or vengeful response to disorderly behavior. While disruptive behaviors must be corrected, the offense of one affords no license “for the arbitrary wielding of power” by authorities.[1] This is an important lesson for all of us to practice in our relationships with one another. Punishment must always be motivated and designed to correct and teach. There must be a learning objective.[2] Otherwise, it is just bullying be another name.
When I am the authority responsible for administering discipline, how different is my attitude from the person who receives the discipline? When I am disciplined, what is my attitude toward the punishment and the punishers? Do I give and receive discipline as a gift of grace from a loving Father?[3]
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. But teach me that that you discipline the one you love, and chasten everyone that you accept as your children. AMEN.[4]
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[1] Joan Chittister, The rule of Benedict: a spirituality for the 21st century (New York: Crossroad, 2010), 144.
[2] 2 Timothy 3:16.
[3] Proverbs 3:12
[4] Psalm 6:1, Hebrews 12:6.
