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 Last month, I wrote about the importance of keeping silence in both the monastic and the wider cultures for the purpose of creating peace. But I also said that this was a two-part column and that the "other side of the coin" of creating peace is that each member of the community (however that is defined) is willingly and freely able to "speak their truth." And so here we are at next month's entry!
As difficult as it is for some people to keep silent rather than sharing their opinions at every moment, it can be equally difficult for other people to speak their truth. In fact, knowing when our words, thoughts, feelings, ideas, questions, and concerns are important to share and when they are better left unsaid can be a great deal of work. But in fact, that is some of the work that a peaceful community is built on.
In Chapter 3 of St. Benedict's Rule, the abbot (the monk in charge) is advised by Benedict as follows:
As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together and himself explain what the business is; and after hearing the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it and follow what he judges the wiser course. The reason why we have said all should be called for counsel is that the Lord often reveals what is better to the younger.
This may not sound particularly bold to us today, but it was revolutionary in St. Benedict's day (the mid 500's). Benedict lived in an extremely hierarchical society, and one that gave little value to the advice of the young, or anyone else for that matter, save for a very few who held power. And yet St. Benedict, renowned for his teachings on silence, advised us that all members of the community should have an equal voice in major decisions that are made.
As a Benedictine monastic community we try to approach our decision making here at Holy Cross in just that way. And let me tell you--it's not always easy. But sometimes the process alone can bring a sense of unity, even when people remain strong in their differences of opinion. Yes, ultimately, someone has to make a decision, but if all members, from the youngest to the oldest (or come up with any way of dividing yourself--from the most conservative to the most liberal, from the poorest to the richest, from the most healthy to the most sick) have a voice, and that voice is encouraged, listened to and honored, then the creation of peace is possible.
It is likely that not everyone will agree with the outcome of any particular decision. Not everyone will be happy that their opinion did not carry the day. But it becomes much more difficult to "pick up your toys and go home" if you have been truly listened to and your opinion validly considered. I think what this boils down to is respect. It is so important to hold each member of the community, and those from other communities, in deep regard and with humble respect.
I do believe that it is up to the leader(s) of any particular community to set the tone and live as an example in listening to all opinions and allowing all members to speak their truth. But I also believe that each member of the community--no matter how young or old, conservative or liberal, rich or poor, healthy or sick, etc. has a responsibility to claim that truth-telling. To find it within themselves to discern the difference between "mouthing off" at every opportunity and "speaking our truth" at appropriate times. This discernment of what our own truths are takes time, prayer, and reflection. It is usually not something that happens quickly. But when an issue is important, we owe it to ourselves, to our community, and to our work for peace, to take that time to pray and reflect in order to arrive at what it may be God is calling us to communicate. May each of us take that time to discern God's will for ourselves, so that we can continue to do the work of peace, living our lives as peaceful children of God. Pax.
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