Brother Jerome: On being open and candid

[BarbaraTherese]

Brother Jerome posts daily through a Yahoo Group reflections on the Rule of St. Benedict and as yet these reflections do not have their own link. I emailed him and he has given me his permission to quote his reflections…

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On being candid, honest and open

I am only posting a portion of Brother Jerome’s reflection and again that question of discernment and balance comes in which is really, I think, a gift of the Holy Spirit, and to ask for this gift…no fixed rules or regulations to be the guide and asks that one be sensitive and appreciative of person and place…I have edited out what is personal to Brother Jerome…

There’s another little gem here, right at the end. Not everyone in
the group needs to know all your details all the time, but letting no
one at all know is equally foolish. A balance must be obtained here,
as in all things.

Knowing whom to tell what to is a delicate art of paying very close
attention to reality of the other person. Such attentiveness to another is
an exquisite exercise of personalism, a trait we should all desire! Some
people may not be trustworthy, others may not profit from knowing for
other reasons, like distress or worry or even scandal. Weigh those
considerations very, very carefully.

…given me a bit of experience in this last regard.
There are those, I know, who think it imprudent to be as candid as I
am about… However, I choose the candor for very
valid reasons and I do not apply them in every situation, with every
person I meet. Can’t do that. Wouldn’t be good for them or for me.
Might be sometime, isn’t just yet.

This is very different thing from being secretive or closety. I need- we
all need- to weigh our audience. That’s mindfulness of others. Some
weigh things far too cautiously. My experience has shown me that, while
being bold can be scary, it also call forth things from people that neither I
nor sometimes they knew they had going for them! Sometimes our candor can
bring out the best in all of us, or at least in most of us, and those
are the times to forge ahead!

Love and prayers,
Jerome, OSB
St. Mary’s Monastery

Petersham, MA

 

[InLight247]

The key point, like Brother Jerome said, is balance and properly weigh the audience. The Bible told us not to throw pearls to the pigs.
To be candid and bold could make one vulnerable. While we have to be sincere in our testimony, we have to use our better judgment.
As Christians, we ought to be as pure as a dove, but also as alert as a snake.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m a huge fan of Br. Jerome Leo. His daily reflections really help make Benedict’s Rule come alive.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I have connections to the Benedictine Order but am not an Oblate myself yet I really appreciate the wisdom of St. Benedict and his Rule and the Reflections of Brother Jerome indeed make it come alive.

Thank you both for the (name removed by moderator)ut and sharing …Barb