Holy Rule for July 23
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St. Mary's Monastery
Jul 22, 2025, 5:53:36 PM7/22/25
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
March 23, July 23, November 22
Chapter 43: On Those Who Come Late to the Work of God or to Table (13-19)
Anyone who does not come to table before the verse, so that all together may say the verse and the oration and all sit down to table at the same time – anyone who through his own carelessness or bad habit does not come on time shall be corrected for this up to the second time. If then he does not amend, he shall not be allowed to share in the common table, but shall be separated from the company of all and made to eat alone, and his portion of wine shall be taken away from him, until he has made satisfaction and has amended. And let him suffer a like penalty who is not present at the verse said after the meal. But if anyone is offered something by the Superior and refuses to take it, then when the time comes that he desires what he formerly refused or something else, let him receive nothing whatever until he has made proper satisfaction.
REFLECTION
St. Benedict’s communal monasticism establishes a close similarity between Church and refectory. One fed the soul, one fed the body, and, with reading, the soul and mind as well! Not surprisingly, a ritual grew up around the communal meal with its longer, formal, chanted grace, the silence and reading, that would make one think very much of Church, indeed!
Oblates have to be very careful that they do not "impose" their monasticism on their families. On the other hand, all things being equal, it is certainly within reason to expect our families to be at least theistic, even Christian, if in fact they are! (If we do not have the blessing of a family or spouse of similar or identical faith, then scrupulous respect for that difference must obtain.) Having said that, a formal grace, no matter how short, is hardly a Draconian imposition on a family of believers, no matter how nominal that belief may be.
Silence, of course, is hardly a family option, but peace surely is! Cease-fire, folks! Truce! Once grace is said, every effort to avoid dissension and fighting should be made! They really aren't very good for digestion, let alone spiritual growth. Think how at times one hears someone say: "Oh, yeah, we HAD to say grace as kids, but then all-out war broke loose." Don't let them happen. It inoculates most of the grace that prayer could bring. No prayer is a magic wand that forgives whatever follows!
I have lived alone as an Oblate in the world. I know at least some of the loneliness and longing that goes with that. I urge single Oblates (and confess that I was not always clever in this respect myself!) to surround their dining in the evening with some kind of formality. Single people often fail to take very good care of themselves. Make your evening meal a time when you do that.
Say or chant a careful grace. Light a candle, perhaps. Play a tape of something nourishing to the soul, whether words or music. It doesn't matter if you're eating tuna out of a can or a frozen dinner. Enhance that time with things good for you and good for your monastic struggle. For all the disadvantages of single life in the world, there are also some advantages! Make sure you gift yourself with the graces your situation does offer. Turn off the news and the phone ringer. Take the little bit of heaven that is there for you!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
March 23, July 23, November 22
Chapter 43: On Those Who Come Late to the Work of God or to Table (13-19)
Anyone who does not come to table before the verse, so that all together may say the verse and the oration and all sit down to table at the same time – anyone who through his own carelessness or bad habit does not come on time shall be corrected for this up to the second time. If then he does not amend, he shall not be allowed to share in the common table, but shall be separated from the company of all and made to eat alone, and his portion of wine shall be taken away from him, until he has made satisfaction and has amended. And let him suffer a like penalty who is not present at the verse said after the meal. But if anyone is offered something by the Superior and refuses to take it, then when the time comes that he desires what he formerly refused or something else, let him receive nothing whatever until he has made proper satisfaction.
REFLECTION
St. Benedict’s communal monasticism establishes a close similarity between Church and refectory. One fed the soul, one fed the body, and, with reading, the soul and mind as well! Not surprisingly, a ritual grew up around the communal meal with its longer, formal, chanted grace, the silence and reading, that would make one think very much of Church, indeed!
Oblates have to be very careful that they do not "impose" their monasticism on their families. On the other hand, all things being equal, it is certainly within reason to expect our families to be at least theistic, even Christian, if in fact they are! (If we do not have the blessing of a family or spouse of similar or identical faith, then scrupulous respect for that difference must obtain.) Having said that, a formal grace, no matter how short, is hardly a Draconian imposition on a family of believers, no matter how nominal that belief may be.
Silence, of course, is hardly a family option, but peace surely is! Cease-fire, folks! Truce! Once grace is said, every effort to avoid dissension and fighting should be made! They really aren't very good for digestion, let alone spiritual growth. Think how at times one hears someone say: "Oh, yeah, we HAD to say grace as kids, but then all-out war broke loose." Don't let them happen. It inoculates most of the grace that prayer could bring. No prayer is a magic wand that forgives whatever follows!
I have lived alone as an Oblate in the world. I know at least some of the loneliness and longing that goes with that. I urge single Oblates (and confess that I was not always clever in this respect myself!) to surround their dining in the evening with some kind of formality. Single people often fail to take very good care of themselves. Make your evening meal a time when you do that.
Say or chant a careful grace. Light a candle, perhaps. Play a tape of something nourishing to the soul, whether words or music. It doesn't matter if you're eating tuna out of a can or a frozen dinner. Enhance that time with things good for you and good for your monastic struggle. For all the disadvantages of single life in the world, there are also some advantages! Make sure you gift yourself with the graces your situation does offer. Turn off the news and the phone ringer. Take the little bit of heaven that is there for you!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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