Philadelphian Humility

I spend some time every day reading a portion of the Rule of Benedict. Right now, I’m reading Chapter 7 on Humility. It’s one of the most important and challenging chapters in the entire Rule. In it, Benedict lays out a sort of twelve-step program for becoming a humble person. It’s hard work. The eleventh step recommends restraining speech. It seems like Benedict wanted very little speaking in the monastery.

At the same time as I’m reading about restraining my speech, I am rooting for my Eagles to win Super Bowl LIX. I show little restraint when I’m cheering on my teams, especially when they get into the playoffs. I’ve been wondering what Benedict would think of me right now. I’m as excited to see the Eagles in the Super Bowl as any fan would be if their team made it all the way. But I am not just an Eagles fan. I am from Philadelphia. So, my ...enthusiasm... is somewhat over the top, in your face, complete with full-on trash talk. I can be scary. As the big day approaches, I only get more excited, especially as friends tell me they are rooting for my team. I am pumped! And everyone I meet knows it. 

I don’t know how Benedict would feel about my enthusiasm. It seems like he would encourage me to approach the Super Bowl with more restraint than a person from Philly can muster. He instructs his followers to speak and act cordially with each other. To never put down the other team. To build up the community so we all might go together to our heavenly Father. “But,” I want to say to him, “we want the trophy there with our team!” And he tells me that we are all on the same team. We all go together or no one gets there.

I know that in the grand scheme of things, this year’s Super Bowl champion is irrelevant. What matters is how we speak to and treat each other to build up the community of God. So, good Benedictine Eagles fan that I am, I am going to try to pay attention to Benedict’s program for humility. Surely, Benedict would understand my excitement. And he would understand that I don’t live in a monastery, so I’m not going to be as silent as a monk. He’d allow for my passion. But he might want me to temper the part of my enthusiasm that comes directly from Philly. I have no idea what Benedict would think of someone from Philly.

But I do know that Benedict was all about living in reality. He’d understand that, even though I’m from Philly, and I really sound like I mean it, I don’t actually want to crush, destroy, or annihilate the other team. It’s going to be hard, but I’m going to try to figure out how to cheer for my team with humility. I think I can do it. 

So, Go Eagles! Destroy the Ch...I mean...just...Go Eagles!