Obey the orders of the abbot unreservedly, even if his own conduct—which God forbid—be at odds with what he says. Remember the teaching of the Lord: Do what they say, not what they do Matthew 23:3. (RB 4.61) Do what I say, not what I do? Well, we’ve all been there. We shouldn’t be too quick to …
Tag Archives: raising children
Contend Courteously
The brothers, for their part, are to express their opinions with all humility, and not presume to defend their own views obstinately.…In the monastery no one is to follow his own heart’s desire.… (Rule of St. Benedict 3. 4-8) Sure, you have freedom of expression. But is it going to be the expression of a …
Eat Your Vegetables
Raising Kids …we must be vigilant every hour… (Rule of St. Benedict 7.29) The kid who is old enough to chew solid food will also be smart enough to realize that you’re cooking peas with his pasta. He’s willful enough to feel insulted. He’s passionate enough to throw a screaming fit. Because you’re a Christian …
Align Your Will With God’s Will
Scripture tells us: Turn away from your desires Sirach 18:30. And in the Prayer too we ask God that his will be done in us Matthew 6:10. We are rightly taught not to do our own will, since we dread what Scripture says: There are ways which men call right that in the end plunge into the depths …
Communicate Artfully
As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together and himself explain what the business is; and after hearing the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it and follow what he judges the wiser course. The reason why we have said all should …
Punish For Posterity
He should not gloss over the sins of those who err, but cut them out while he can, as soon as they begin to sprout, remembering the fate of Eli, priest of Shiloh 1 Samuel 2:11-4:18…. Strike your son with a rod and you will free his soul from death Proverbs 23:14. (Rule of St. …
Discipline To Win
In his teaching, the abbot should always observe the Apostle’s recommendation, in which he says: Use argument, appeal, reproof 2 Timothy 4:2. This means that he must vary with circumstances, threatening and coaxing by turns, stern as a taskmaster, devoted and tender as only a father can be. (Rule of St. Benedict 2.23-24) The purpose of …
Cultivate Fairness
The abbot should avoid all favoritism in the monastery…. But the abbot is free, if he sees fit, to change anyone’s rank as justice demands…. God shows no partiality among persons Romans 2:11. Only in this are we distinguished in his sight: if we are found better than others in good works and in humility. …
Aim For Judgment Day
The abbot must know that anyone undertaking the charge of souls must be ready to account for them. Whatever the number of brothers he has in his care, let him realize that on judgment day he will surely have to submit a reckoning to the Lord for all their souls–and indeed for his own as …
Be A Good Model
Therefore, the abbot must never teach or decree or command anything that would deviate from the Lord’s instructions (Rule of St. Benedict 2.4) Neither should parents. Maybe you fail to hit the bull’s eye, but at least you aim for the target. Your children will imitate whatever they see you do. This means that if …