Chapter 40: The proper amount of drink to be provided

St Paul says that each of us has a special gift from God, one kind for one of us and quite a different one for another. That reflection makes me reluctant to decide on the measure of  food and drink for others.  [. . . ] 

It may be that local circumstances may make it impossible to provide he amount of wine we have suggested above so that there may be much less available or even none at all. Those who live in such a locality should praise God and avoid any murmuring. Above all else I urge that there should be no murmuring in the community. (From paras. 1 and 3 of Ch. 40 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Between acknowledging both legitimate need and the dangers of drink, St Benedict navigates a path of moderation. In fact, his two greatest concerns seem to me to be about self-understanding (realizing our gifts from God, such as self-control), and the corrosive quality to the community of murmuring. Underneath all of this, I see the importance of right relationship, to the Ground of our Being, and to our brothers and sisters.