Chapter 2, part 4 - January 12

In her teaching the Abbess should always follow the Apostle's formula: "Reprove, entreat, rebuke" (2 Tim. 4:2); threatening at one time and coaxing at another as the occasion may require, showing now the stern countenance of a mistress, now the loving affection of a mother. That is to say, it is the undisciplined and restless whom she must reprove rather sharply; it is the obedient, meek and patient whom she must entreat to advance in virtue; while as for the negligent and disdainful, these we charge her to rebuke and correct. And let her not shut her eyes to the faults of offenders; but, since she has the authority, let her cut out those faults by the roots as soon as they begin to appear, remembering the fate of Heli, the priest of Silo (1 Kings 2-4). The well-disposed and those of good understanding let her correct with verbal admonition the first and second time. But bold, hard, proud and disobedient characters she should curb at the very beginning of their ill-doing by stripes and other bodily punishments, knowing that it is written, "the fool is not corrected with words" (Prov. 18:2; 29:19), and again, "Beat your son with the rod, and you will deliver his soul from death" (Prov. 23:13-14).

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The message here is to treat others for whom you responsible in the direct manner needed. We hear serious, difficult words in this passage. Reprove, rebuke, threaten, sharpness. We are to cut out faults and to beat our sons. To ears, this are disdainful words and actions but we have to look past our present perspectives to look at the reality of the days of Benedict. Harsh treatment was not out of the ordinary but it was likely something to be expected, even by those who were at fault. There is also a need to consider Benedict was making a point through exaggeration much the same as Jesus did in the gospels when he spoke of cutting off hands and plucking out eyes.

I can only hope that I was right more than I was wrong in how judged what my sons needed and that good I did was not washed away by the evil I caused in my disobedience. Their mother was a good influence, however, and I am sure I had some value as my sons are both good men in every sense of the word.