I referenced this a few weeks ago: Will Ferrell, playing Ron Burgandy in Anchorman proclaims, “I don’t know how to put this, but I am kind of big deal.” You know the attitude: I’m impressive and you should notice my impressiveness. We’ve all seen it and exhibited it. Benedict leaves no space, though, for this attitude. He has room for talented people and knowledgeable scholars within his Rule; what he doesn’t have room for, though, is those who think their knowledge or talent make them more impressive than others in the community.

When a priest wants to enter the monastery, Benedict says, they enter without any special status. A priest might come to the community thinking he brings with him some clout because of his priestly status, but Benedict says, in chapter 60, the priest “takes the place that corresponds to the date of his entry into the community.” The only rank within the monastery is based on the date the monk enters, and a priest might come expecting to enter straight into the big leagues, but Benedict says they enter at the end of line like every other monk.

Benedict constantly teaches this through the Rule that all are equals in the community, and when all are equals boasting isn’t a part of the conversation.