Prologue: School of the Lord’s Service

August 13, 2018 | The Rule of St Benedict

RB Prologue 39-46 –
³⁹Now that we have asked the Lord who will dwell in his tent, we have heard the instruction for dwelling in it, but only if we fulfill the obligations of those who live there. ⁴⁰We must, then, prepare our hearts and bodies for the battle of holy obedience to his instructions. ⁴¹What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of his grace. ⁴²If we wish to reach eternal life, ⁴³then – while there is still time, while we are in this body and have time to accomplish all these things by the light of life – ⁴⁴we must run and do now what will profit us forever. ⁴⁵Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. ⁴⁶In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome.

The Rule of St. Benedict
Artwork: Phyllis Nicoll