The Wisdom of Accommodation

St. Benedict was born in 480, when the Roman Empire was crumbling in the west and Italy was occupied by barbarian tribes like the Goths and the Lombards. It was a chaotic time of war, changing political rulers, famine, and epidemics. You’d think that St. Benedict would have responded to the chaos around him by instituting strict, unyielding rules when he was establishing his monasteries. Instead, as he pieced together his Rule from other sources, he made changes that reflected a spirit of accommodation and moderation rather than strictness and rigidity.

St. Benedict was flexible about times for prayer, eating, working, and sleeping based on the sea-sons. Rules regarding bathing and eating meat were relaxed for those who were sick. When the work was heavier than usual, the abbot had the authority to pro-vide larger meals. Not everyone was treated exactly the same, but the disparity was based on need, not on rank. In several places in the Rule, St. Benedict essentially said that if you can find a better way to do something, go for it.

In our own time of pandemic, we would do well to follow St. Benedict’s example of accommodation. People who are especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus should be allowed to vote by mail. Those working with people who are hard of hearing should be given masks with a clear insert or a face shield to allow reading of lips. Resources should be given to schools, teachers, and students to facilitate online teaching.

Chaos and fear are not quelled by rigid implementation of rules but by instilling a sense of safety by meeting people’s basic needs. St. Benedict said, “Whoever needs less should thank God and not be distressed, but whoever needs more should feel humble because of his weakness, not self-important because of the kindness shown him” (RB 34:3-4). We need to remember that one day we ourselves will be numbered among the weak and those in need of accommo-dation. As St. Benedict demonstrated, always opting for kindness is a good “rule” of thumb.