Temper, Temper

I suppose that more than a few of us suffer the temptation to presumptuously assume authority to correct those around us. We tell them what we think of them, or we silently show our superiority, or we 'correct' what is wrong with them. Here is an instruction which says that no member of a given community may presume to have any such superiority unless they have been explicitly given that authority to shape others' behavior. Here in today's reading from the Rule of Benedict is an explicit instruction not to presume, and to expect to be rebuked ourselves if we should "punch" others by our physical actions or sharp speech.

Sometimes I wish I could go silent all day long, every day, so that I would not speak any judgment, imply any correction, or rebuke anyone. Still, I would have to live with my own thoughts and attitudes. Really, the challenge is honest speech that is also "moderate", "discreet", kind and formative. How to be humble and honest, encouraging and challenging? How to "do no harm" and "do only good" in the way one speaks with the neighbor, the brother or sister?