ABBOT ELIAS DIETZ, O.C.S.O.
Homily – St. Benedict, July 11, 2021
Solemn Profession of Brs Abel and Joseph
[Prov 2: 1-9, Eph 5: 8-20, Mt 19: 27-29] When we hear this gospel passage on the feast of Saint Benedict, a normal surface-level reaction is to connect it with Benedict himself, as a model of the kind of leadership Jesus describes. But Jesus’ words are addressed to the whole group. His message is really about a new way of living together.
As this story illustrates, competition has always been the default mode among human beings. Who’s on top, who’s the strongest, who’s the wealthiest, the smartest . . . ?, and so on. Jesus turns this tendency on its head: “among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.” The greater you are, the clearer your view of reality and, therefore, the more you are aware of your limitations. You are more capable as a leader the more you can put yourself in the shoes of the least and gauge what’s most needed and what’s most important. By removing competition from the concepts of greatness and leadership, Jesus pulls out the thorn that makes living together intolerable.
Jesus is inviting us into a new mode of relating or, put simply, into the kingdom of God. Saint Paul saw here the calling of all Christians:
“I . . . urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”
The vows you will pronounce today, Brothers Abel and Joseph, are promises to keep learning to live this way. To promise stability is to commit yourself to being part of a community; to promise fidelity to the monastic way of life is to commit yourself to staying on the learning curve of this new way of relating; and to promise obedience is to commit yourself to living with and for others, less and less on your own terms.
Those of us who welcome you today into this community and into this way of life share with you an experience of the call that brought you here. We recognize in you the signs that you are willing and able to learn the new mode of relating Jesus describes. But, like you, we are still working it out, still begging the Lord for the wisdom and integrity we hope to acquire. We gladly witness your vows today and, along with you, recommit ourselves to “live in a manner worthy of the call” we have received.
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