On No Account Shall a Monastic Be Allowed
Monastics must follow the Abbess's permission and authority in receiving gifts to maintain harmony within the community.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of obedience and submission within the monastic community, particularly in the context of receiving or giving gifts or letters. He instructs that no monastic should receive or give any gifts without the Abbess's permission, even if sent by family members. The Abbess has the authority to decide who may receive such gifts, and it is crucial for the sisters not to act against these rules to avoid giving the devil an opportunity to cause discord.
Text
On no account shall a monastic be allowed
to receive letters, blessed tokens or any little gift whatsoever
from parents or anyone else,
or from her sisters,
or to give the same,
without the Abbess's permission.
But if anything is sent her even by her parents,
let her not presume to take it
before it has been shown to the Abbess.
And it shall be in the Abbess's power to decide
to whom it shall be given,
if she allows it to be received;
and the sister to whom it was sent should not be grieved,
lest occasion be given to the devil.
Should anyone presume to act otherwise,
let her undergo the discipline of the Rule.
Sermon Outline
- Monastic Discipline
- Abbess's authority
- Consequences of disobedience
- Discipline of the Rule
- Preventing occasion for the devil
Key Quotes
“On no account shall a monastic be allowed to receive letters, blessed tokens or any little gift whatsoever from parents or anyone else,” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Obey the authority of your leaders to maintain harmony within the community.
- Seek permission before receiving gifts or communicating with others outside the community.
- Prioritize obedience over personal desires to live a life of discipline and service.