May 13

Chapter 2 pt. 4

The Rule of Benedict May 13

The Prior must guard against all criteria that serve to set some people over others in society at large, such as money, degrees, appearance, or politics.  But he must also guard against criteria that do the same in church, such as those visible acts of devotion and piety that Jesus mentions in Matthew 6.  The only acceptable criteria within the order by which the Prior evaluates the vowed members are those of obedience, good works, and humility.  Obedience is to the word of Christ heard in prayer and from the Prior; good works are the fruit of that obedience; and humility is the attitude that enables the ear to listen and hear.