Chapter 31: The qualities required by the cellarer (paragraph 1)

If one of the community comes with an unreasonable request, the cellarer should, in refusing what is asked, be careful not to give the impression of personal rejection and so hurt the petitioner's feelings.

(From para. 1 of Ch. 31 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Kindness softens and opens hearts, and I should give it away freely, in spite of whatever other limitations I have.

Chapter 30: The correction of young children

There is a proper way of dealing with every age and every degree of understanding, and we should find the right way of dealing with the young.

(From Ch. 30 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict's word this morning resounds in me with the power of command: Not to approach anyone from my ego, with a desire to control, but to approach everyone from my heart, with a desire to love.

Chapter 29: The readmission of any who leave the monastery

Anyone who is guilty of serious wrong by the personal decision to leave the monastery but then asks to be received back again must first of all promise full reparation for leaving the monastery.

(From Ch. 29 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict's requirement that I make reparations for my false starts, my failings, my comings and goings, reminds me that my behavior has repercussions on others. This interconnectedness can make me feel overwhelmed at times. But it also urges me to rest in God.

Chapter 28: The treatment of those who relapse

If even such prayer does not bring healing, the superior must turn to the knife of amputation, following the guidance of St Paul, who told the Corinthians to banish the evil from their midst, and again he said: if the unfaithful one wishes to go, let him go, lest one diseased sheep corrupt the whole flock.

(From Ch. 28 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

I think it takes discernment, not borne of attention to my ego, but to divine presence, to know when to accept difficult relationships, and when to let them go. My ego can stir up very mixed motives, and make situations worse. But God calls me to hold true to the way of growth that springs from my rootedness and trust in him.

Chapter 27: The superior's care for the excommunicated

Therefore the superior should use every curative skill as a wise doctor does, for instance by sending in senpectae, that is, mature and wise senior members of the community who may discreetly bring counsel to one who is in a state of uncertainty and confusion; their task will be to show the sinner the way to humble reconciliation and also to bring consolation, as St Paul also urges, to one in danger of being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow and in need of the reaffirmation of love which everyone in the community must achieve through their prayer.

(From para.  1of Ch. 27 of St. Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

After having made my way through the difficult chapters on excommunication,  it's a blessing to read the outpouring of compassionate inclusion that Benedict bestows upon the "one in danger of being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow".  I hear him saying that the wisdom that cures is not driven by anyone's ego, but by "the reaffirmation of love which everyone in the community must achieve through their prayer".

Chapter 26: Unlawful association with the excommunicated

If any member of the community presumes without the permission of the abbot or abbess to associate in any way with or speak to or give instructions to one who has been excommunicated then that person should receive exactly the same punishment of excommunication.

(Ch. 26 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

Interior growth is between an individual and God, and I must respect that precious space in myself and others.

Chapter 25: Punishment for more serious faults

None of the community should associate with or talk to the guilty person, who is to persevere alone in sorrow and penance in whatever work has been allotted, remembering St Paul's fearful judgement when he wrote to the Corinthians that: such a one should be handed over for the destruction of the flesh so that the spirit maybe saved on the day of the Lord.

(From Ch. 25 of Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry OSB, 1997.)

St. Benedict's words sound harsh to me, and yet they offer the solace of privacy, work and prayer that I can see as important to strengthening interiority. His words also remind me to be patient and vigilantly respectful of the difficulties that can be associated with growth -- mine and other's.