The Reader at Work - Continued

Let's continue our discussion of the Reader. We should be able to pick up both practical and spiritual tips to help us with our daily work. Here's the full entry about the Reader from St. Benedict's pen:

"At the meals of the brethren there should not fail to be reading; nor should the reader be anyone who may chance to take up the book; but let there be a reader for the whole week who shall enter upon his office on Sunday. Let this incoming reader, after Mass and Communion, ask all to pray for him that God may preserve him from the spirit of pride. He shall intone three times in the oratory the versicle: Domine, labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam, which shall each time be repeated after him by the choir. And so, having received his blessing, let him enter upon his reading. And let there be the greatest silence, so that no whisper, and no voice but the reader's, may be heard there. But for the things that they need as they eat and drink, let the brethren so supply them to one another that no one need to ask for anything. If, however, there be any need, then let the thing be asked for by means of some sign rather than by speech. Nor let anyone venture there to ask questions about the reading or anything else, lest it give occasion for disorder. However, the superior, if he thinks fit may say a few words for the edification of the brethren. Let the weekly reader be given a little bread and wine before he begins to read, on account of the Holy Communion and lest the fast might be hard for him to bear. Let him have his meal afterwards with the kitcheners and servers of the week. The brethren are not to read or sing each in his turn, but those only who give edification to the hearers."

When St. Benedict notes "nor should the reader be anyone who may chance to take up the book," he's emphasizing the importance of matching the task to be done with the skills and experience of the worker. We discussed this in some detail last time.

Moving along, note that the Reader will perform his task for the whole week, rather than a one-a-day approach. There's a sense of order with this approach. Every reader will be somewhat different. The monks are afforded the consideration of  hearing the same voice, with the same pronunciation and cadence for a stretch of time before the Reader changes. That's good for the listeners. 

It's also good for the Reader too. They've got a predictable assignment that they can repeat and perfect. Isn't that the same for any work we perform? I do have a lot of varied tasks. But rather than do this or that here or there, I try to bunch similar tasks together in blocks of time. That allows me to settle in and concentrate on like tasks. You get them done quicker and better when you do that.

The Reader receives the prayers of the monks to quell any rise in pride. When we do a good job pride can well up. We want to do our best; and when we do we get puffed up. Consider praying for the grace to do a great job and to keep pride at bay.

As usual, both the doer and the receiver bear responsibility. If the Reader does his job well, the listener needs to keep silent in order to hear, to receive the Reader's efforts in full. 

In our workplaces, responsibility for results falls on all involved: boss, worker, individual, team - all must hold up their end of the bargain. A boss needs to organize and assign work intelligently, with consideration for the workers involved. Consideration includes the capability of the worker as well as the environment in which they work. The worker, for his part, needs to execute the assignment well and on time. 

Everyone takes responsibility and works together. A sense of order prevails - which brings with it an atmosphere of calm, peace and stability.

In this entry in the Rule We see a specific example of order takes precedence in the command not to ask question about the reading. The skill of the Reader here joins with the skill of the listener. Silence builds that skill. 

In our own work, consider this practice of silence. Listen first, talk later. Much of the time we'll find our questions answered simply by listening carefully, whether it's to a bosses direction, or a customer's requests. Silence will serve us well; and it will serve the business well.

Note that the Superior may decide to break silence and comment. A good boss can do this with great effect - but only if there's base of silence on the part of his charges. When we focus on our work, and cut the unnecessary chatter, our minds will be less cluttered and more receptive to whatever keen insight a good boss can lend to our efforts.

Wrapping up, we see the consideration given to the Reader in granting him some food and drink before the common meal. Remember he's reading while others are eating. Makes sense. Helps him sustain his mental an physical energy, which will help him do a better job, which benefits the minds and souls of the dining monks.

Applying this to the workplace, eating at the right time (and eating the right stuff!) will help us do a better job, leading to better results for the business. Make sure to keep yourself fed reasonably well so you can do your best. Selectively skipping meals for dietary or spiritual reasons can be good; but not if it puts us in a bad mood, dulls our minds, or weakens our bodies. Remember our responsibility to do a good job. Remember that only when we're fit to perform our work well, in a purposeful, but calm and peaceful manner, will we contribute to stability in our workplace.

Just as all the entries in the Rule serve the purpose of stability in the monastery, so too should our thoughts, words, and actions on the job serve the stability of our workplace.