Finally, we conclude the Holy Father's list of "good works":
62. Not to desire to be called holy before one is; but to be holy first, that one may be truly so called.
63. To fulfil daily the commandments of God by works.
64. To love chastity.
65. To hate no one.
66. Not to be jealous; not to entertain envy.
67. Not to love strife.
68. Not to love pride.
69. To honor the aged.
70. To love the younger.
71. To pray for one’s enemies in the love of Christ.
72. To make peace with an adversary before the setting of the sun.
73. And never to despair of God’s mercy.
END QUOTE.
WITH THIS LIST OF 73 WORKS COMPLETED, OUR HOLY FATHER SUMMARIZES THEIR IMPORTANCE:
Behold, these are the instruments of the spiritual art, which, if they have been applied without ceasing day and night and approved on judgment day, will merit for us from the Lord that reward which He hath promised: “The eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
But the workshop in which we perform all these works with diligence is the enclosure of the monastery, and stability in the community.
HERE, AN ENPHASIS IS PLACED ON STABILITY IN THE COMMUNITY, FOR HERE THE JURISDICTION OF THE RULE WILL NOT BE IMPAIRED SUCH THAT THE GOOD WORKS CAN PROCEED UNCEASINGLY. WHENEVER ONE FACES DIFFICULTY, HE CAN TURN TO HIS BROTHERS, AND ABOVE ALL HIS ABBOT, FOR SUPPORT. IN STABILITY AND OBEDIENCE, THE SCHOOL OF CHARITY CAN REALIZE ITS CURRICULUM. THERE IS A GREAT DANGER IN CHANGING THIS LECTURE HERE AND THERE AT WHIM OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF THE CURRICULUM OR THE WAY THE COURSE OF STUDIES WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED AS A WHOLE.
STABILITY AND OBEDIENCE BUILD CONFIDENCE IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. For a cenobite (& by extension the domestic churches of the devout laity), they are non-negotiable prerequisites of sanctification. Without them, the Gospel will not implant itself deeply in the heart.
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