Dearly beloved, we ought, above all things, to love Almighty God and then our neighbour ; for these are the principal precepts delivered to us in Holy Scripture.
These commands that follow are called a Rule, because in them is expressed the pattern of holy living. Now a rule is so named because it is the source of direction and instruction.
Where we speak of a rule, the Greeks use the term Canon. Hence from the Greek the name canons or regulars is also applied to those who live in religious houses and lead a canonical and apostolical life, according to the precepts of regular observance laid down by the holy Fathers. To such, then, it is said : —
These are the things that we command you to observe, who are gathered together in the monastery.
Unto this end the divine precepts are read to us, that they be understood and carried out. In consideration of this, we must fear the judgment expressed in these words : ” That servant who knows the will of his Lord and does it not, shall be beaten with many stripes” (Luke xii. 47). Hence St Paul says : ” Not the hearers of the law … but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rom. ii. 13).
Let us then give ear to the behests of our loving Lord, and “be mindful of his commands to do them”(Ps. cii. 18). For as St James says: “He that hath looked into the perfect law of liberty and hath continued therein, not becoming a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” And our Lord says in the Gospel : ” Blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it ” (Luke xi. 28). Wherefore let us give humble heed to the things commanded unto us who dwell in the monastery.
First, the reason that you are gathered together in one is that you dwell with concord in the house : and that you possess but one soul and one heart in God.
Here, in the first place, we have counsel regarding unity and agreement : such agreement, namely, as will arise from living together in God. To unite with others for any bad purpose would in itself be evil ; but an agreement to do good, to pursue justice, and to serve God is productive of much good. This is the end for which we are
Of the Love of God and the Neighbour 3
gathered in one : namely, that we may have one spirit and one soul in the service of God. And therefore the command is that we dwell together in the same house and have but one soul and one heart in God.
Indeed it is but right that, if we are corporally drawn together, we dwell together spiritually also. For it is of no avail that the same walls encompass us if difference of will separate us — since God regards rather unity of mind than of dwelling. Behold, we are a number of individuals under one roof, with different ways of acting, different hearts, different wills : all which one intention and one love of God must weld together in unity. We must therefore, in this matter, be of a single mind and a single will, that we may give our service to God and love God with our whole heart and with our whole soul and our neighbour as ourselves.
Therefore the virtue of concord is necessary for us, and it will be attained if each sister, as she comes to the convent, sets to work to despoil herself of her own will and imitate Him who says : ” I came not to do my own will ” (John vi. 38) ; and again : ” Father, not as I will but as thou wilt ” (Matt. xxvi. 39). For what chiefly conduces to concord is that each one study to do the will of another unto good, rather than his own. This is the sign of a great humility. Thence also obedience is begotten ; thence charity, peace justice, and all Christian virtues draw their increase. Whereas if I seek to carry out my own will and
another is intent upon following hers, forthwith divisions arise and quarrels, anger and dissensions spring up, all which are the works of the flesh. And as the Apostle says : ” They who do such things shall not obtain the Kingdom of God” (Gal. v. 21). Some are found in the Congregation stubborn in their own views and wise in their own opinion, so that whatever comes into their mind they stand up for as though it were dictated by reason : and they never offer to give way to others, but strive to bend all to themselves. And if they find that they are not humoured they are straightway troubled and disturbed. Such usually withstand the orders of their seniors ; and often the passion of disobedience and impatience gains strong rule over them.
Such persons are not likely to maintain harmony with others. ” For,” according to the expression of the Apostle, ” they became vain in their thoughts and their foolish heart was darkened. For professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ” (Rom. i. 2i, 22). In truth, pride is a blindness of heart, and it is foolish wisdom to wish to prefer oneself to others. And so, on the other hand, the same Apostle says : ” If any man among you seem to be wise … let him become a fool that he may be wise” (1 Cor. iii. 18). The fool in this sense is truly wise, because before God it is great wisdom to judge oneself the inferior of all. So it is written : ” The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things ” (Eccles. iii. 20). Thus when