Post Hoc, a poem

Sometimes we find examples of Benedict’s wisdom in the most unexpected places.   I found this one in Garrison Keillor’s poetry blog a few days ago and it stuck with me.   

As simple as it seems, No Grumbling   is an important part of the Rule and one that I am trying hard to follow in my daily life.   All of the post hocs in the world are nothing more then unfortunate ruminations that take the form of grumbling.   Grumbling, as Benedict explains, are destructive to ourselves and to others when they become habitual.   I try to remember the Prayer of St. Francis at times like this.

Post Hoc

by Jennifer Maier

It happened because he looked a gift horse in the mouth.
It happened because he couldn't get that monkey off his back.
It happened because she didn't chew 22 times before swallowing.
What was she thinking, letting him walk home alone from the bus stop?
What was he thinking, standing up in the boat like that?
Once she signed those papers the die was cast.
She should have waited an hour before going in; everyone knows
salami and seawater don't mix.
He should have checked his parachute a seventh time;
you can never be too careful.
Why didn't she declare her true feelings?
Why didn't she play hard to get? She could be out at some
nice restaurant right now instead of in church, praying
for the strength to let him go.
It all started with that tattoo.
It all started with her decision to order the chicken salad.
Why was he so picky?
Why wasn't she more discriminating?
He should have read the writing on the wall; listened
to the still small voice, had a lick of sense. But how could he when he
was blinded by passion? Deaf to warnings? Really dumb?
Why, why, in God's name, did he run with scissors?
If only they'd asked Jesus for help.
If only they'd asked their friends for help.
If only they'd ignored the advice of others and held fast
to their own convictions, they might all be here, now,
with us, instead of six feet under; instead of trying to adopt
that foreign baby, instead of warming that barstool
at the Road Not Taken Eatery and Lounge, wondering how it might all
have been different, if only they had done
the right thing.

"Post Hoc" by Jennifer Maier, from Dark Alphabet. © Southern Illinois University Press, 2006. 

Will you resist evil . . . .

As we embarked on the many chapters on punishment, a cord reverberated, a consistent hum:  at one point, this hum is referred to as grumbling.  Grumbling works in opposition to community:  it undermines leaders and the team; it is resistant and rebellious to the good intentions of the members and the community as a whole.  Grumbling is defiant.  Grumblers wear away at us, a hum in the background.  And grumblers invite grumbling -- defiance, resistance, rebellion -- against all our good intentions.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

So this Lent, let us persevere in the resistance of grumbling, and whenever we find ourselves grumbling, let us repent, speak a kind word, and return our words to the obedience of our Lord.