What do you prefer?

On Aug. 11, 2023, the Today Show Senior Food Editor Emi Boscamp published an article on the rise of the popularity of the buffet. In the report, she quoted IBIS World Research Marketing Company as noting that in 2022 buffets were a $5.5 BILLION industry. Visualize for a moment the amount of selections laid out for people going through a buffet line. Food can be a hot topic of discussion. Certainly, we each have an opinion as to what we prefer when we frequent such an establishment. As children, we may not have been given much choice over what was put before us, but as adults we do have a say in what we consume.

St. Benedict understood that we have choices. We have the freedom to say “yes” or “no” and with that power to choose we also assume the responsibility of our actions.

In Chapter 72 of the Rule, our Holy Father lays before us a buffet of options to sustain us on our “spiritual journey to our heavenly home (RB 73)” The question is : WHAT DO YOU PREFER?

So let’s look at our options:
● zeal of bitterness vs. good zeal
● disrespect vs. respect of the “other”
● impatience vs. patience of another’s weaknesses
● not listening (non-obedience) vs. listening (obedience) to another

Judging what’s “best for me” vs. judging what is better for someone else (7). Here, not judging is viewed as making priority decisions that benefit yourself over deciding what words, behaviors, etc. best benefit someone else. St. Benedict clearly states to choose the good. He moves from the salad bar to the main course by pointing out three key figures. We can choose what’s better for ourselves or:
● show love to our neighbors/co-workers/monastic and oblate community
● show God our love, respect, and awe
● show true unfeigned love and humility to our spouses, senior citizens, or superiors

Just as we might expect a word or direction from a caring parent , Benedict clearly tells us what we ought to choose over everything laid before us.

Christ.

The irony is that if we choose the good zeal listed above, we are choosing what St Benedict instructs.

The plate of choosing Christ is a very full plate. Sometimes after a big buffet, dessert has to wait a while. Benedict’s dessert? That Christ will bring us all to everlasting life.

It’s a big buffet. What do you prefer?