Rule of St. Benedict Prologue 1-3

St. Benedict statue in Mother Mary Anne's office

Hearken continually within thine heart, O son, giving attentive ear to the precepts of thy master. Understand with willing mind and effectually fulfill thy holy father’s admonition; that thou mayest return, by the labour of obedience, to Him from Whom, by the idleness of disobedience, thou hadst withdrawn. To this end I now address a word of exhortation to thee, whosoever thou art, who, renouncing thine own will and taking up the bright and all-conquering weapons of obedience, dost enter upon the service of thy true king, Christ the Lord.



Reflection:
Hearken continually within thine heart, ( Listen carefully)  giving attentive ear to the precepts of thy master.
The master, is one who has truly lived the monastic life (or what ever vocational you are called to) and can by instruction and example, form the hearts of the new comers.
We all need to be constantly forming our hearts into Christ's heart.
We need time to stop and reflect on how God is instructing us in the vocation that we are called to fulfill.



The Rule of St. Benedict, translated into English. A Pax Book, preface by W.K. Lowther Clarke (London: S.P.C.K., 1931).

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