Holy Rule for February 5
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St. Mary's Monastery
Feb 4, 2026, 8:31:59 PMFeb 4
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 5, June 6, October 6
Chapter 7: On Humility (55)
The eighth degree of humility is that a monk do nothing except what is commended by the common Rule of the monastery and the example of the elders.
REFLECTION
[Can you tell I used to be a radio DJ by reading this? And I loved it!]
I am a much bigger fan of early Sinatra than I am of his later career. One of the hits of his closing years, which was also recorded by Elvis, was "My Way." It quickly became the defining anthem for many in the rather egocentric late 20th century.
Couple these two guys with a third, Tony Bennett, in an imaginary trio for another hit, "I've Gotta Be Me" and you have the secular rationale of the self in a nutshell. I really love Tony Bennett, and I used to own a copy of his recording of "I've Gotta Be Me", but now I rather wish he'd passed up on that one.
Both songs take the healthy notion of self and elevate it to a level of distortion and falsity. They erroneously elevate a part of truth to being the whole truth and that spells trouble. Our selves are wonderful, unique, precious gifts, so are children. Leave either unbridled or malformed and you will regret it.
Humility forms rightly because it is truth. Like the Gospel itself, humility is the exact reverse of many a worldly tune. The real, objective truth lies in the paradox, in the tension of yes AND no to many things which the world would accept unquestioningly as "YES!"
So, here comes the 8th degree. Its message is that it is most safe to assume that doing it one's own way is neither right nor terribly bright. We may find that sometimes we are right, but even there, so long as the action is morally neutral, the wise course is subjection to the common mind. Benedictines swim in schools; it's our nature to do so.
In fact, even doing it some other monastery's tested, tried and true way makes no sense. God calls us to the house and the observance that will best suit us. If we have made a mistake in hearing Him, He will somehow get us to transfer (unless we STILL can't hear Him!) Otherwise, let things alone.
We come to a distinct monastery and congregation, to the Rule, to be taught, not to teach them. We come to be directed, not to direct, to be formed, not to form. If we allow all those things to happen to us in humility we quite likely WILL be elements of change for the better in the community's history, but that change will be one planned by God, not ourselves.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 5, June 6, October 6
Chapter 7: On Humility (55)
The eighth degree of humility is that a monk do nothing except what is commended by the common Rule of the monastery and the example of the elders.
REFLECTION
[Can you tell I used to be a radio DJ by reading this? And I loved it!]
I am a much bigger fan of early Sinatra than I am of his later career. One of the hits of his closing years, which was also recorded by Elvis, was "My Way." It quickly became the defining anthem for many in the rather egocentric late 20th century.
Couple these two guys with a third, Tony Bennett, in an imaginary trio for another hit, "I've Gotta Be Me" and you have the secular rationale of the self in a nutshell. I really love Tony Bennett, and I used to own a copy of his recording of "I've Gotta Be Me", but now I rather wish he'd passed up on that one.
Both songs take the healthy notion of self and elevate it to a level of distortion and falsity. They erroneously elevate a part of truth to being the whole truth and that spells trouble. Our selves are wonderful, unique, precious gifts, so are children. Leave either unbridled or malformed and you will regret it.
Humility forms rightly because it is truth. Like the Gospel itself, humility is the exact reverse of many a worldly tune. The real, objective truth lies in the paradox, in the tension of yes AND no to many things which the world would accept unquestioningly as "YES!"
So, here comes the 8th degree. Its message is that it is most safe to assume that doing it one's own way is neither right nor terribly bright. We may find that sometimes we are right, but even there, so long as the action is morally neutral, the wise course is subjection to the common mind. Benedictines swim in schools; it's our nature to do so.
In fact, even doing it some other monastery's tested, tried and true way makes no sense. God calls us to the house and the observance that will best suit us. If we have made a mistake in hearing Him, He will somehow get us to transfer (unless we STILL can't hear Him!) Otherwise, let things alone.
We come to a distinct monastery and congregation, to the Rule, to be taught, not to teach them. We come to be directed, not to direct, to be formed, not to form. If we allow all those things to happen to us in humility we quite likely WILL be elements of change for the better in the community's history, but that change will be one planned by God, not ourselves.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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