PROLOGUE
Sept. 7
And so we are going to establish a school for the service of the Lord. In founding it we hope to introduce nothing harsh or burdensome. But if a certain strictness results from the dictates of equity for the amendment of vices or the preservation of charity, do not be at once dismayed and fly from the way of salvation, whose entrance cannot but be narrow. For as we advance in the religious life and in faith, our hearts expand and we run the way of God’s commandments with unspeakable sweetness of love. Thus, never departing from His school, but persevering in the monastery according to His teaching until death, we may by patience share in the sufferings of Christ and deserve to have a share also in His kingdom.
Reflection
‘A school of the Lord’s service’, in other words the Rule of St. Benedict which begins here. And what are we going to learn here? Like Christ we will be passing from death to life. On the way there will be some little deaths in order to ‘amend vices and preserve charity.’ If we are faithful, our hearts will be enlarged on this ‘way of salvation’ and we shall know that this path is a school of love, a love which always goes on ahead of us even when things are difficult or painful, for it is precisely then that we share in the sufferings of Christ.
