At first glance, chapter 33 of the Rule flies in the face of an economic principle which has become standard in many parts of the world.
The key to understanding what Benedict is saying lies in paying attention to the word “private.”
“Not a single item” is to be viewed by a monk as “mine.” Everything is to be available for another’s use.
If you’ve been reading these posts about the Rule, and if you are a regular reader of this Oboedire blogsite, you know what’s going on. Benedict is reinforcing a consistent and comprehensive stand against egotism—this time at the most-detailed level.
There can be no “life together” when a shred of “this is mine” exists.
I wonder how many church conflicts have been caused when a person held so tightly to “my church” that the greater good was sacrificed on the altar of personal preference? If you or I can imagine anything in our lives that is not available to others, we have not yet lived into this chapter of Benedict’s Rule.
Oboedire 