Monastic life and the Holy Spirit (the struggle with evil) Chapter talk 2018 The Good Zeal Of Monks (The Rule Of St. Benedict – Chapter 72) Just as there is a wicked zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal which separates from evil and leads to God and everlasting life. This, then, is the good zeal that monks must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rom 12:10), supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life. ++++++++++ When thinking about evil in the world along with the influence of the Holy Spirit it can bring forth many of my own struggles that come from living any sort of life with others. For any community can be considered the world in miniature with the same problems that seem to plague mankind. The rule is there to, first of all show that entering Monastic Life is just the beginning of a life-long journey with the struggle with self. If that struggle is not taken on with a certain level of fervor, then for the most part, the desire for balance and peace will be spent in fighting everyone else, from the Abbot down to the youngest novice. It is not a very pleasant way to live, yet some do live that out in their lives, to varying degrees. Left to ourselves, with only one’s resources, the central theme of life can be power and domination over others. Quote: This can lead to false zeal, gossip, political intrigue, etc. It is contrary to what the Holy Spirit is seeking to teach us. The flesh wants to be in control rather than to have to trust in God. Hence it sets up its own observance, under its own control. And when it has met its own demands it declares itself to be righteous. Because the flesh hates being told what to do, it takes God’s Law and makes it “manageable” based on its own terms. For example, if I’m supposed to love, I’ll limit it to my family or countrymen; I’m “allowed” to hate my enemy. Jesus says that we must love our enemy. The flesh recoils at this, because unless the Law is manageable and within its own power to accomplish, the Law cannot be controlled. The flesh trusts only in its own power. The Pharisees were “self-righteous.” That is to say, they believed in a righteousness that they brought about through the power of their own flesh. But the Law and flesh cannot save; only Jesus Christ can save. The flesh refuses this and wants to control the outcome based on its own power and terms.- Unquote) Msgr. Charles Pope You could say that our past can drive us mercilessly, allowing no rest. To seek to control others is a battle that will never cease. This can be seen in the world, in the news that we read every day. People rebel against any kind of external control. Even if it is to the detriment of the overall culture. Instead of the “Will to Power”, we are called to mutual obedience. Or to put in in the words of Jesus: “The greatest among you is the servant of all”. It goes contrary to how we normally operate. The questions is: How do I live with others and not descend into bitterness, gossip, and the desire to control the world around me so that I can simply live my life in peace. How easy or difficult that is depends on one’s past, temperament, as well as the unique care that we all received care and input when young. Deep conversion which is a long process is needed to break free of the chains that bind us from our past. In the monastic life, what keeps the monks from living in harmony, loving one another, be obedient to one another, and serving one another? To the extent that this is not done, leads to the misery of the monk, as well as harm inflicted on the community if it gets serious enough. The rule states that this can be an ongoing issue in Monastic life, as well as I would imagine in community life everywhere. In the fifth chapter of Galatians, it states: 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. A realistic look at the human situation is not hard to acquire, as long as we bring ourselves into the equation as well. It is possible to get lost in self-righteous indignation, and in the process fail to see what is in our own lives that’s need conversion that also adds to the evil that is in the world.—Br.MD
Thank you for writing this. It is very well thought out and inspired IMO. What struck me most reading this was one of the lines from Galatians. I would love to get your take on it. Especially in regards to community life.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The Spirit gives us the greatest of all spiritual gifts which is love. Chapter 13 of 1 Cor deals with this nicely. Peace Mark
This reminds me of John Bunyan's, 'The Pilgrims Progress', which I used to love and read often as a child. John was a Puritan and this became one of the great Protestant Classics. All of us are tempted but tempted differently as time, place and circumstances dictate. For instance now when I am old I am tempted to be a horrible judgemental crank and I was never tempted that way when I was young. This piece set my mind back to the three and a half years I was in the monastery. I just admit despite the fact I left ved there I know very little about the monks I lived with or monastic life generally because I was very solitary indeed and spent all my time in prayer. All my free time I spent in Eucharistic Adoration. I am sorry for this now as pretty well all the monks were very holy indeed and a few of us hem truly saintly. But as John Bunyan indicates in his book there are particular temptations for particular times and places and people. On utube I still love watching the videos of different monasteries and convents, especially the contemplative ones. Holiness is hard to hide from the observant eye and it is so very obvious when acsaint passes by. A great cause of hope in a darkening world. One thing that is true of parishes that is true of monasteries I think. It is, I think very possible to get sidelined by gossip and cliques. So many parish groups and meetings, so much to do, so much hustle. Anything rather than going to Church on your own and praying.
Well said thank you. Now that I am old, it is true, focus changes, and temptations as well. Peace Mark
