The Juniors, Therefore, Should Honor Their Seniors
The juniors should honor their seniors, and the seniors should love their juniors, by showing respect and discipline in daily life.
St. Benedict of Nursia preaches about the importance of honoring and showing love to one another based on their roles and ranks within the community. He emphasizes the significance of addressing each other with respect and reverence, with juniors honoring seniors and seniors loving juniors. St. Benedict highlights the Abbot's role as a representation of Christ, deserving of honor and respect, and encourages all members to reflect on their behavior to show themselves worthy of such honor.
Text
The juniors, therefore, should honor their seniors,
and the seniors love their juniors.
In the very manner of address,
let no one call another by the mere name;
but let the seniors call their juniors Brothers,
and the juniors call their seniors Fathers,
by which is conveyed the reverence due to a father.
But the Abbot,
since he is believed to represent Christ,
shall be called Lord and Abbot,
not for any pretensions of his own
but out of honor and love for Christ.
Let the Abbot himself reflect on this,
and show himself worthy of such an honor.
And wherever the brethren meet one another
the junior shall ask the senior for his blessing.
When a senior passes by,
a junior shall rise and give him a place to sit,
nor shall the junior presume to sit with him
unless his senior bid him,
that it may be as was written,
"In honor anticipating one another."
Boys, both small and adolescent,
shall keep strictly to their rank in oratory and at table.
But outside of that, wherever they may be,
let them be under supervision and discipline,
until they come to the age of discretion.
Sermon Outline
- The Juniors Should Honor Their Seniors
- Showing Respect in Daily Life
- Discipline for the Young
- Asking for Blessings
- Giving Priority to Seniors
- Rank in Oratory and Table
- Supervision and Discipline
Key Quotes
“Let the Abbot himself reflect on this, and show himself worthy of such an honor.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“In honor anticipating one another.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Boys, both small and adolescent, shall keep strictly to their rank in oratory and at table.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Show respect to seniors by addressing them with titles such as 'Brother' or 'Father'.
- Give priority to seniors in daily life, such as rising to let them sit first.
- Be under supervision and discipline until you come to the age of discretion.