Holy Rule for May 16
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St. Mary's Monastery
May 15, 2026, 5:53:59 PMMay 15
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 15, May 16, September 15
Chapter 2: What Kind of Person the Abbess Ought to Be (33-40)
Above all let her not neglect or undervalue the welfare of the souls committed to her, in a greater concern for fleeting, earthly, perishable things; but let her always bear in mind that she has undertaken the government of souls and that she will have to give an account of them. And if she be tempted to allege a lack of earthly means, let her remember what is written: "First seek the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be given you besides" (Ps. 33:10). And again: "Nothing is wanting to those who fear Him." Let her know, then, that she who has undertaken the government of souls must prepare herself to render an account of them. Whatever number of sisters she knows she has under her care, she may be sure beyond doubt that on Judgment Day she will have to give the Lord an account of all these souls, as well as of her own soul. Thus the constant apprehension about her coming examination as shepherd (Ezech. 34) concerning the sheep entrusted to her, and her anxiety over the account that must be given for others, make her careful of her own record. And while by her admonitions she is helping others to amend, she herself is cleansed of her faults.
REFLECTION
Four times in this portion alone, St. Benedict reminds those in authority that theirs is a government "of souls." No wonder material things are not to be put first. Nothing fleeting at all must come before the souls of those we care for, whether abbess or parent or teacher or nurse. Our own souls are intricately linked with the welfare of those we govern or care for or serve. (BTW, ideally, in St. Benedict's model of authority, all three functions of ruling, loving and serving are present at all times. Lofty goal that!)
It's easy to forget that this reading covers a lot more than material things. All things perishable, empty and earthly are included, even if more detailed coverage is given to the material ones. It is a sad truth that we often congratulate ourselves for avoiding one fault while falling headlong into another.
The parent or superior who can give an example of courage in the face of false values to their charges has given an inestimable gift, indeed. A wise person can contrast the nagging question of "What would people think?" with "What are they entitled to think? Don’t we all have an obligation to think the best of others?"
A parent or superior with a genuine sense of what is real can make their charges see reality, too. It is always a gift to see reality, because reality is truth and Jesus said: "I am the truth." God IS truth, and every fragment of truth we garner on this strange, checkered journey of life will make Him instantly more familiar to us when we meet Him face to face.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 15, May 16, September 15
Chapter 2: What Kind of Person the Abbess Ought to Be (33-40)
Above all let her not neglect or undervalue the welfare of the souls committed to her, in a greater concern for fleeting, earthly, perishable things; but let her always bear in mind that she has undertaken the government of souls and that she will have to give an account of them. And if she be tempted to allege a lack of earthly means, let her remember what is written: "First seek the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be given you besides" (Ps. 33:10). And again: "Nothing is wanting to those who fear Him." Let her know, then, that she who has undertaken the government of souls must prepare herself to render an account of them. Whatever number of sisters she knows she has under her care, she may be sure beyond doubt that on Judgment Day she will have to give the Lord an account of all these souls, as well as of her own soul. Thus the constant apprehension about her coming examination as shepherd (Ezech. 34) concerning the sheep entrusted to her, and her anxiety over the account that must be given for others, make her careful of her own record. And while by her admonitions she is helping others to amend, she herself is cleansed of her faults.
REFLECTION
Four times in this portion alone, St. Benedict reminds those in authority that theirs is a government "of souls." No wonder material things are not to be put first. Nothing fleeting at all must come before the souls of those we care for, whether abbess or parent or teacher or nurse. Our own souls are intricately linked with the welfare of those we govern or care for or serve. (BTW, ideally, in St. Benedict's model of authority, all three functions of ruling, loving and serving are present at all times. Lofty goal that!)
It's easy to forget that this reading covers a lot more than material things. All things perishable, empty and earthly are included, even if more detailed coverage is given to the material ones. It is a sad truth that we often congratulate ourselves for avoiding one fault while falling headlong into another.
The parent or superior who can give an example of courage in the face of false values to their charges has given an inestimable gift, indeed. A wise person can contrast the nagging question of "What would people think?" with "What are they entitled to think? Don’t we all have an obligation to think the best of others?"
A parent or superior with a genuine sense of what is real can make their charges see reality, too. It is always a gift to see reality, because reality is truth and Jesus said: "I am the truth." God IS truth, and every fragment of truth we garner on this strange, checkered journey of life will make Him instantly more familiar to us when we meet Him face to face.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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