The Prologue and Chapter 73

In reading the Prologue and Chapter 73 of the Rule of St. Benedict (RB), there are several relational themes that readily become apparent.  Both the Prologue and RB 73 are addressed to beginners – those who are ready to give up their own will…to do battle for the true King, Christ the Lord.  It also addresses that it is through sloth – our own laziness – that we fail to follow the Lord.  A third parallel that is immediately obvious is that in the last lines of both, Benedict is calling the monk to live in the heavenly homeland.  A fourth link is the “theme” of a journey.  The final, and most important, relationship is the need for the monk to rely on the help of Christ Jesus and the guidance of the Gospel.

In the Prologue, verses 1-3 open by addressing the beginner who desires to follow the master’s instructions.  In RB 73, verses 7-8 again reflects that theme.  St. Benedict seems to be aware that even though a monk may pass through conversatio at the beginning of his monastic life, that it is an ongoing process.  An expression that has been used in my monastic community is that we “never graduate” from this school of the Lord’s service in this life – that it is only in eternity that we have reached that goal.

Sloth was also a relational link – it was the sloth of disobedience that caused us to drift from the Lord (Prol. 2) and also the reason why the monks of Benedict’s day were not observant and obedient monks (RB 73.7). 

In the third parallel, St. Benedict in the Prologue urges the monk through patience to share in the sufferings of Christ that he may deserve also to share in his kingdom (Prol.50) and in RB 73 asks are you hastening toward your heavenly home? (RB 73.8).

Benedict uses the theme of a journey to Christ.  In the Prologue, St. Benedict tells the monk, Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation.  It is bound to be narrow at the outset.  But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love (Prol. 48-49) and in RB 73, St. Benedict states, for anyone hastening on to the perfection of monastic life (RB 73.2) indicating that there is a path being followed.

The reliance on Christ Jesus and the guidance of the Gospel, permeate RB.  The Prologue shows the necessity of the monk relying on Christ in telling him that while his temptations were still young, he caught hold of them and dashed them against Christ (Prol.28).  RB 73 shows that it is with Christ’s help, the monk will keep this little rule…written for beginners (RB 73.8).  The  Prologue tells the monk that it is the Gospel that is our guide (Prol. 21) while RB 73 asks What page, what passage of the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments is not the truest of guides for human life? (RB 73.3).

Both the Prologue and RB 73 mirror each other on the important points.  After reflecting on the above, I asked myself, is RB 73 a summary statement of what Benedict hoped that the Prologue would encourage/urge the monk to do?  How did Benedict experience that idea of being a “beginner” in his life – even after he had written the Rule?  How can we keep that freshness of needing to start the journey over each day?  How can we remember that it is only with Christ Jesus – and not reliance on our own abilities – that will bring us to that heavenly kingdom at the end of our journey?