The Rule of Saint Benedict

Tue first degree of humility is prompt obedience. This is required of all who, whether by reason of the holy servitude to which they are pledged, or through fear of hell, or to attain to the glory of eternal life, hold nothing more dear than Christ. Such disciples

delay not in doing what is ordered by their superior,

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just as if the command had come from God. Of such our Lord says, At the hearing of the ear he hath obeyed me. ^ And to the teachers He likewise says, He that heareth you, heareth me?

For this reason such disciples, surrendering forthwith all they possess, and giving up their own will, leave unfinished what they were working at, and with the ready foot of obedience in their acts follow the word of command. ‘Thus, as it were, at the same moment comes the order of the master and the finished work of the disciple : with the speed of the fear of God both go jointly forward and are quickly effected by such as ardently desire to walk in the way of eternal life. These take the narrow way, of which the Lord saith, Narrow is the way which leads to life.18 That is, they live not as they themselves will, neither do they obey their own desires and pleasures; but following the command and direction of another and abiding in their monasteries, their desire is to be

ruled by an abbot. Without doubt such as these

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carry out that saying of our Lord, J came not to do my own will, but the will of Him Who sent me.M*

This kind of obedience will be both acceptable to God and pleasing to men, when what is ordered is not done out of fear, or slowly and coldly, grudgingly, or with reluctant protest. Obedience shown to superiors is indeed given to God, Who Himself hath said, He that heareth you, heareth Me.1® What is commanded should be done by those under obedience, with a good will, since God loveth a cheerful giver 6 If the disciple obey unwillingly and murmur in word as well as in heart, it will not be accepted by God, Who considereth the heart of a murmurer, even if he do what was ordered. For a work done in this spirit shall have no reward ; rather shall the doer incur the penalty appointed for murmurers if he amend not and

make not satisfaction.

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