Holy Wit

“Lord, my heart is not puffed up; nor are my eyes haughty. Neither have I walked in great matters nor in wonderful things above me.” What then? “If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul; as a child that is weaned is towards his mother so shalt Thou reward my soul.”

Let us do what the Prophet saith: “I said, I will take heed of my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I have set a guard to my mouth, I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence even from good things.” Here the prophet showeth that, if at times we ought to refrain from useful speech for the sake of silence, how much more ought we to abstain from evil words on account of the punishment due to sin.

"This obedience, however, will be acceptable to God and agreeable to men then only, if what is commanded is done without hesitation, delay, lukewarmness, grumbling or complaint, because the obedience which is rendered to Superiors is rendered to God."

"...instantly quitting their own work and giving up their own will, with hands disengaged, and leaving unfinished what they were doing, follow up, with the ready step of obedience, the work of command with deeds; and thus, as if in the same moment, both matters – the master’s command and the disciple’s finished work – are, in the swiftness of the fear of God, speedily finished together, whereunto the desire of advancing to eternal life urgeth them."

Finally, we conclude the Holy Father's list of "good works":

Here, St. Benedict elaborates on his list of "good deeds":

Here, St. Benedict continues his list from yesterday:

1. In the first place to love the Lord God with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength. 2. Then, one’s neighbor as one’s self.

"Let all follow the Rule as their guide in everything, and let no one rashly depart from it. Let no one in the monastery follow the bent of his own heart..."

"Whenever weighty matters are to be transacted in the monastery, let the Abbot call together the whole community, and make known the matter which is to be considered. Having heard the brethren’s views, let him weigh the matter with himself and do what he thinketh best. It is for this reason, however, we said that all should be called for counsel, because the Lord often revealeth to the younger what is best."

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

"...mingling gentleness with severity, as the occasion may call for, let him show the severity of the master and the loving affection of a father."