Transcript of Abbot Clement
=s Talk on Monday, October 18, 2004If we are to be renewed, we said, we have to be grounded in what is foundational. We said that foundation is nothing else but Christ. One of those foundations that is obvious in monastic tradition is obedience. Obedience is not just a question of some moral virtue. Jesus didn=t just listen to Mary and Joseph and obey them, and he just didn=t listen to and respond to the people in his life, what he was doing was with his heart was listening to what the Father was asking of him. Since obedience is foundational it is in his obedience that he redeemed the world. And the text says: Ahe was obedient even until death@. The death of the cross. And thereby brought about the whole new creation.
For the monk who promises obedience is not doing something superficial. We live in a society that is bombarded by messages and words and people walk around with boom boxes and listen to all kind of chat on the radio and also they have chat rooms on the computer and their listening is kind of superficial. It=s not from the heart and it=s not certainly oriented toward what the Father=s asking of me. We on different approach the things are concerned about precisely what the Father is asking in union with Jesus. St. Benedict says some interesting things in the Rule that makes us wonder where we are in these things. He tells us first of all it is by this path of obedience that we get back to God. He tells us also that when we are obedient we have to be obedient from the interior of our heart. That we can=t be doing things grudgingly or doing things with disposition that is not willing and happy to do it. Then he says some rather interesting things about obedience, he says: Awe not only give obedience to the abbot who is representing God=s will for us but one another. Because obedience is a good. When we embrace obedience we really bring a good, a blessing, into our life and the lives of those around us.
I think the most important statement that deals with the question of obedience is in the prologue. Where Benedict says that if we are really pursuing the spiritual life then we will run the way of God=s commandments in love.
So when you start the religious life or the spiritual life you probably are paying attention to avoiding serious sins but if you=re in the spiritual life then you are supposed to be focused on trying to please God. If you=re pleasing God then run the way of God=s commandments and love means that your heart beats in union with the heart of Jesus. It means that there is a tremendous growth and union that has a tremendous power in our lives. Not only does it create unity and peace for us but is a tremendous blessing for us and for those around us. So obedience for us is not a superficial pragmatic necessary behavior in order for an organization to exist and to function. It is much deeper and much more foundational. It is a question of allowing the kingdom to continue through us.