Benedict goes on to describe this. It is really a description of what he sees as a way of spirituality, a way of growth into the fullness, a way of going into God. Hunc ergo zelum ferventissimo amore exerceant monachi. The monk is to make this zeal his own with a most fervent, burning love. The word he uses for love is amore, not caritate which he will use later in the chapter. Amore means a natural, passionate love. A monk should enter into this way with a burning passion; his whole being should be wanting to walk in this way.
Benedict describes this amore. He speaks of the different elements. The first one: honore se invicem praeveniant. The English they have in the RB 1980 is, They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other (Rom 12:10). The Latin is to honor each other. The monk should be the first there to honor his brother, to have respect for his brother. He does not wait until the brother does something to deserve it or merit it. He is the first to honor his brother, and he wants to honor him.
Despite our faults. Any kind of relationship that is going to go anywhere has to begin with respect. We respect and honor the other. Yes, we are a bunch of poor, weak, stupid sinners, but we are all on the way. God is not finished with any of us. We all have our messy spots, but we honor each other because each of us is the very image of God. Each of us is the beloved son of God. Each has been baptized into Christ—made one with the very son of God. Everyone here is a person of good zeal. Think of the privilege of living in a community like this. We live with men who are saying yes to the divine call.
Abbot M. Basil Pennington, OCSO
The Good Zeal of Monks
A talk given on the Rule of Saint Benedict
Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery
Thursday, April 4, 2002
