Joan Chittister: In a world of warring tribes and ever larger bombs and the displacement of thousands, how could "blessed are the meek" possibly have real meaning for us in this day and age? I'll tell you.
From Where I Stand: By this time, we are meant to be able to blend into the world around us -- serene, contented, open -- too grounded interiorly to crave public approval.
From Where I Stand: Benedict does not forbid humor; he forbids the bawdry and the brutal. He makes the quality of our laughter a measure of our spiritual adulthood.
From Where I Stand: The ninth step of humility has no caveats as in "keep silent unless you're angry at someone" or "unless you can get the microphone and keep it from everyone else."
From Where I Stand: The tradition moves on from generation to generation, flowing here, being pruned there, always adapting to the soil in which it's planted. And so do we as people.
From Where I Stand: Learning to consider the insights and understanding of others is not the end of autonomy. It is the beginning of humility. St. Benedict's third step, obedience, is for human unity and the common good
From Where I Stand: Differences are a big thing. They are the resources that nourish a new future for us all. Which is exactly where Benedict's second principle of life comes in.
From Where I Stand: Governments go down. Churches, too, sinning as much as they save, lose their bearings. So how is it that we stand by while our institutions shrivel and our courage shrinks?
