Saint Benedict sits before us another sensitive topic, once concerned with receiving priests into the community. One powerful lesson that we learn from St. Benedict is the importance of clear communications and understanding expectations prior to accepting anyone into the community. While this may appear contrary to our charge for hospitality, there is actually great compassion here. We should be aware of the challenges that wait for the monastic and be more eager to guide others into successful communion with Christ than a desire to simply increase the number of our community. So, consider the challenges of the priest who desires to walk a monastic path.
A fundamental challenge is one that is common to all of us. Humility through submission. Philip Lawrence, Abbot of Christ in the Desert, writes, “The real challenge for one who is already a priest is that the identity of the monk is in being a monk, not in being a priest.”[1] Being a priest does not disqualify one from entering the community. Nowhere does St. Benedict appear to be anticlerical. He simply emphasized the precept of Chapter 58 to not grant an “easy entry.” Submitting to monastic life is a challenge for anyone. However, a priest who is accustomed to the privileges that accompany his responsibilities, submitting to an abbot may be especially difficult. Terrence Kardong boldly points out that, “If the priest expects special treatment, then he is risking the fate of Judas. He, after all, started out with good intentions and ended tragically.”[2] In Chapter 62, we will read about regarding the contentious priest “as a rebel.” As St. Benedict is wise to do, he seeks to prevent such problems by stopping them at the beginning.
In the functions of the community, a priest must understand that he assumes no privilege, no role except that of any other member of the community. He even performs his Sacramental role in the community only with the permission of the Abbot. St. Benedict continues to shore up the authority of the Abbot in all matters of the community. When we read The Rule in its narrative, we return to Chapter 2, and the grave responsibilities of the Abbot and realize that it can be no other way. There can be no power struggle between priests coming into the community from their parishes where they are often and duly revered[3] and the Abbot who is charged with the faithful shepherding of the community at the judgement of his own soul.[4]
While this chapter focuses on priests, the underlaying principles pertain to everyone. Our Christian faith traditions often emphasize the “royal priesthood of believers”[5] to the effect of raising the self-esteem of the general body of Christians. St. Peter’s words point to the corporate function of all believers as God’s people, rather than the sacred office of Priest. These are graces bestowed from God’s mercy on all of us who are baptized and believe in Him.[6] Whatever challenges one in the area self-pride must be sacrificed on the path of monastic spirituality. One must pursue humility and surrender self-will to become submissive to the Abbot who is the community’s guide to Christ.
[1]https://christdesert.org/prayer/rule-of-st-benedict/chapter-60-the-admission-of-priests-to-the-monastery/
[2]Terrence Kardong, Benedict, and Benedict, Benedicts Rule: A Translation and Commentary (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1996), 494.
[3]Romans 10:14-15.
[4]Benedict and Timothy Fry, RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict in English (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1982), 22.
[5]1 Peter 2:9.
[6]Donald Guthrie et al., The New Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub., 1991), 1241.
