Holy Rule for April 28
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St. Mary's Monastery
Apr 27, 2026, 5:39:53 PM (3 days ago) Apr 27
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 28, August 28, December 28
Chapter 70: That No One Venture to Punish at Random
Every occasion of presumption shall be avoided in the monastery, and we decree that no one be allowed to excommunicate or to strike any of her sisters unless the Abbess has given her the authority. Those who offend in this matter shall be rebuked in the presence of all, that the rest may have fear. But children up to 15 years of age shall be carefully controlled and watched by all, yet this too with all moderation and discretion. All, therefore, who presume without the Abbess' instructions to punish those above that age or who lose their temper with them, shall undergo the discipline of the Rule; for it is written, "Do not to another what you would not want done to yourself" (Tobias 4:16).
REFLECTION
Ever work in a place where there was such chaos that you always had to be protecting yourself from just about everybody, where you never knew from which quarter doom might swoop down without warning. Trust me, it ain't much fun. Been there, done that! St. Benedict wisely saw that healthy people cannot live that way- it makes them sick- and sick people cannot either, it makes them sicker in a big hurry!
Our communities, our families, and our own behavior at work or school should never buy into such lunacy. One advantage of a central authority is that it takes the heat, or ought to take it! To leave those we have under our care at the mercy of each other, be they siblings or monastics or employees, is a terrible abdication of responsibility.
The other telling thing here is the proscription against losing one's temper. Hey, I know it happens, and I often even know how. It surely has happened to me, alas. But our communities are to be founded on peace.
When disagreement comes or wrong is done, our first resort must NEVER be the overkill of the heaviest possible artillery. Much less than that is effective in most cases and giving more than is necessary just destroys our inner peace. That, my friends, is something we should never allow things around us to destroy.
Two other important things are to be borne in mind. The other person may honestly have no clue that they have offended or done anything wrong. It may be in our own wrong-headed perceptions. Also, the silent treatment or the cold shoulder freeze out are demeaning and not terribly mature ways to deal with conflict, especially if the person receiving such nonsense is expected to either know or guess what she has done wrong. Such petulant behaviors are beneath humanity itself, much less Christianity and terribly beneath monastic life.
Far from the "mutually assured destruction" tactic of the nuclear years, we should always and everywhere espouse gentleness and polite restraint. Our disagreements and corrections should be marked with mercy, even to those who fail in mercy themselves. (There is no shortage of such people and no need to duplicate services there!) So much of charity is genuine courtesy and respect, qualities which are sadly easy to fail. We must be very, very careful!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 28, August 28, December 28
Chapter 70: That No One Venture to Punish at Random
Every occasion of presumption shall be avoided in the monastery, and we decree that no one be allowed to excommunicate or to strike any of her sisters unless the Abbess has given her the authority. Those who offend in this matter shall be rebuked in the presence of all, that the rest may have fear. But children up to 15 years of age shall be carefully controlled and watched by all, yet this too with all moderation and discretion. All, therefore, who presume without the Abbess' instructions to punish those above that age or who lose their temper with them, shall undergo the discipline of the Rule; for it is written, "Do not to another what you would not want done to yourself" (Tobias 4:16).
REFLECTION
Ever work in a place where there was such chaos that you always had to be protecting yourself from just about everybody, where you never knew from which quarter doom might swoop down without warning. Trust me, it ain't much fun. Been there, done that! St. Benedict wisely saw that healthy people cannot live that way- it makes them sick- and sick people cannot either, it makes them sicker in a big hurry!
Our communities, our families, and our own behavior at work or school should never buy into such lunacy. One advantage of a central authority is that it takes the heat, or ought to take it! To leave those we have under our care at the mercy of each other, be they siblings or monastics or employees, is a terrible abdication of responsibility.
The other telling thing here is the proscription against losing one's temper. Hey, I know it happens, and I often even know how. It surely has happened to me, alas. But our communities are to be founded on peace.
When disagreement comes or wrong is done, our first resort must NEVER be the overkill of the heaviest possible artillery. Much less than that is effective in most cases and giving more than is necessary just destroys our inner peace. That, my friends, is something we should never allow things around us to destroy.
Two other important things are to be borne in mind. The other person may honestly have no clue that they have offended or done anything wrong. It may be in our own wrong-headed perceptions. Also, the silent treatment or the cold shoulder freeze out are demeaning and not terribly mature ways to deal with conflict, especially if the person receiving such nonsense is expected to either know or guess what she has done wrong. Such petulant behaviors are beneath humanity itself, much less Christianity and terribly beneath monastic life.
Far from the "mutually assured destruction" tactic of the nuclear years, we should always and everywhere espouse gentleness and polite restraint. Our disagreements and corrections should be marked with mercy, even to those who fail in mercy themselves. (There is no shortage of such people and no need to duplicate services there!) So much of charity is genuine courtesy and respect, qualities which are sadly easy to fail. We must be very, very careful!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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