On Those Who Will Not Amend
After Repeated Corrections
Nov. 4
If a brother who has been frequently corrected for some fault, and even excommunicated, does not amend, let a harsher correction be applied, that is, let the punishment of the rod be administered to him.
But if he still does not reform or perhaps (which God forbid) even rises up in pride and wants to defend his conduct, then let the Abbot do what a wise physician would do. Having used applications, the ointments of exhortation, the medicines of the Holy Scriptures, finally the cautery of excommunication and of the strokes of the rod, if he sees that his efforts are of no avail, let him apply a still greater remedy, his own prayers and those of all the brethren, that the Lord, who can do all things, may restore health to the sick brother.
But if he is not healed even in this way, then let the Abbot use the knife of amputation, according to the Apostle’s words, “Expel the evil one from your midst,” and again, “If the faithless one departs, let him depart,” lest one diseased sheep contaminate the whole flock.
Reflection
This chapter underlines the importance of two things when we are concerned about someone around us: prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit. When we are rejected, in spite of our efforts to help, we have recourse to prayer because, according to St. Benedict, we must never despair of anyone. At the same time, we must always be realistic, so we have to accept the mystery of a hardened heart, while persevering in prayer strengthened by the Spirit.
