When I think of a Monk, I think of a solemn, introverted character that seems to have little to no contact with the outer world. I never would have thought that Monks and modern Christians could have similar beliefs and practices. In St. Benedict’s The Rule of Saint Benedict, the twelve step ladder of humility introduced in chapter seven can easily be interpreted and translated into modern Christianity through emulating God, the belief that Christians should act inferior, the acknowledgment that Christians sin, and that Christians should speak briefly.
The second and third steps of the ladder exemplify how Christians strive to become more like God and imitate his actions. The second step of the ladder is for Monks to, “loves not his own will nor takes pleasure in the satisfaction of his desires; rather imitate by his actions” (18). Modern Christians attempt this in many different ways. For example, the W.W.J.D? bracelets help remind Christians to act as Jesus would. Modern Christians teach their children not to sin. I was taught in my Presbyterian church preschool to try and act like Jesus, the one who didn’t sin. The third step if for Monks to, “submit to his superior in all obedience of the love of God” (18). As children grow up, there is usually someone superior to obey, whether it the principal of your school or the police on the road, it is in our nature to obey our superiors.
Christians are constantly trying to put others before themselves, as shown in steps one, six and seven of the humility ladder. Monks are almost threatened with the first step of the ladder. They are told that, “all who fear God have everlasting life awaiting them” (17). This fear of God can been seen in the book of Job in the New Testament. This step admits that God is a powerful, and we are inferior in relations to him. The sixth step states, “that a monk is content with the lowest and most menial treatment.” (19) Monks are satisfied with bare treatment. I attended camp Kanakuk for three summers and one of their main sayings as a Christian camp was “I’m Third.” God is first. Others are second and I am third. The camp taught me to be inferior to others. Similarly, the seventh rule of monks is to, “not only admits with his tongue but is also convinced in his heart that he is inferior to all.” (19)
Both Monks and modern Christians believe that one way to become closer to God is to obey what God says, admit when they sin and ask for forgiveness; and the fourth, fifth and eighth steps of humility can be taken by modern Christians and put into practice. The fourth and eighth rule talk about obedience and following the rules, which are something we tend to do as a society. Christians could easily take these rules and apply them today. The fifth rule states that monk should, “confess,” (19) any wrong thoughts that appear in their mind. Many could relate this to the confession booths found in Roman Catholic churches today.
The rules that many people found to be most strict and harsh are rules nine, ten and eleven, about how monks should not talk, not laugh or when they have to talk, speak briefly. Personally, I didn’t find these few rules to be extremely severe. I took it as; everything you say should have a purpose. If what your saying doesn’t have a intention of helping someone, or becoming closer to God, then it shouldn’t be said. In some ways, it seems pretty extreme. For example step ten says that, “he is not given to ready any laughter”(20). For modern day Christians being forced not to laugh is excessive and almost too much. However, Christians can take away the idea that they are to speak with a purpose.
The final step of humility is to show humility to those around you and be humble every day. I believe that both monks and modern day Christians show humility through their actions and words. After evaluating whether or not the ladder is relevant to modern Christians, I have determined that the ladder of humility can be applied to modern Christians. Hopefully one day we could find other religions to apply the ladder to.
Bibliography
Benedict, Saint, and Thomas Moore. The Rule of Saint Benedict. Ed. Timothy Fry. Coolegeville: Vintage Spiritual Classics Original, 1998. Print.
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