Belonging
12/December/2007 Filed in:
JottingsWe finish chapter 58 of the Rule today. With profession the newcomer who until then is nameless, just "noviter veniens", receives a new identity as a member of the community. For the first time he is called "brother" ("novicius frater"). In monastic communities, belonging follows commitment. That is contrary to what western society in general seems to expect. Many people have a deep desire to "belong" to something or someone, but the need for commitment is less readily appreciated. Keeping one's options open is seen as a positive good. Even in monasteries, people sometimes want all the benefits of membership, so to say, with none of the obligations. Well, you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. Flawed and fallible as human history is, it does demonstrate that lots of married couples, monks and nuns have discovered the happiness that comes with commitment.