CHAPTER 49
92 The Rule, Chapter 49 the time scheduled for reading. ' 'Their duty is to see that no brother is so apathetic as to waste time or engage in idle talk to the neglect of his reading, and so not only harm himself but also distract others/'
On Sundays the monks of St. Benedict's monastery are to do additional reading. "If anyone is so remiss and indolent that he is unwilling or unable to study or to read, he is to be given some work in order that he may not be idle." Yes, even on Sunday, go find some work if you aren't going to read.
Apparently St. Benedict had to reprove the monks of his time for neglecting lectio. Benedictines of today may have an excuse for neglecting lectio more frequently than they did in the sixth century. Most Benedictine monasteries and convents are busier places nowadays. It would be impossible for most of us to spend four hours reading every day. We are, nevertheless, conscious of what St. Benedict expects of us with regard to lectio. I'm sure your lives have also been enriched by work and prayerful reading. St. Benedict blesses all of us for our faithfulness.
CHAPTER 49
The Observance of Lent "The life of a monk ought to be a continuous Lent. Since few, however, have the strength for this, we urge the entire community during these days of Lent to keep its manner of life most pure and to wash away in this holy season the negligences of other times." St. Benedict knows that there is only so much he can ask of his followers. If they cannot be penitential throughout the whole year, then they should at least try harder during the Church's penitential season.
The Rule, Chapter 49 93 During these days, therefore, we will add to the usual measure of our service something by way of private prayer and abstinence from food or drink, so that each of us will have something above the assigned measure to offer God of his own will with joy of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 1-6). In other words, let each one deny himself some food, drink, sleep, needless talking or idle jesting."
The Master, in his Rule, is more interested in the communal observance of Lent than in how the individual monk intends to observe it. The Master adds extra communal prayers between all the hours of the Divine Office. As Lent progresses, the food and drink for the monks continue to diminish. Regarding those monks who happen to be ill during Lent, the Master says, "Let the abbot see to it that no one is lying or pretending to be sick/'1
Rather than impose a Lenten penance that the whole community must uniformly follow, St. Benedict says, "Everyone should, however, make known to the abbot what he intends to do, since it ought to be done with his prayer and approval.
Whatever is undertaken without the permission of the spiritual father will be reckoned as presumption and vainglory, not deserving a reward."
A good Lenten practice for everyone is mentioned in the previous chapter of the Rule. "During this time of Lent each one is to receive a book from the library, and is to read the whole of it straight through. These books are to be distributed at the beginning of Lent."
For St. Benedict, conversion should result from our Lenten penitential practices. "To wash away in this holy season the negligences of other times"— that is the purpose of Lent. It is also a time in which to "look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing."
94 The Rule, Chapter 51
CHAPTER 50
Brothers Working at a Distance or Traveling Monks who are working some distance from the monastery may be excused from attending common prayer, but they may not be excused from praying. They are "to perform the Work of God where they are, and kneel out of reverence for God."
This applies likewise to monks who are traveling. Prayer is an obligation and an occupation that St. Benedict wants fulfilled even when the monks are away from the monastery, in the field bringing in the harvest, or on the road. We all need to be reminded not to neglect our prayer.
CHAPTER 51
Brothers on a Short Journey A monk who is on an errand for the monastery or performing a work of charity and who can be expected home the same day is admonished "not [to] presume to eat outside, even if he receives a pressing invitation, unless perhaps the abbot has ordered it."
St. Gregory describes the consequences of accepting a dinner invitation without St. Benedict's permission. Several monks were out on business, and the hour grew late. "They stopped for a meal at the house of a devout woman they knew in the neighborhood. On their return when they presented themselves to the abbot for the usual blessing, he asked them where they had taken their meal."
The monks told him they hadn't eaten. St. Benedict asked them why they were lying to him. "Did you not enter the