Becoming a Community of Disciples

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Becoming a Community of Disciples

undisciplined and restless; he will exhort the obedient, the mild, and the patient to advance in virtue; and the negligent and arrogant we admonish him to rebuke and correct. 26 He must never disregard the sins of offenders; but as soon as they sprout, cut them out as best he can by the roots, remembering the fate of Eli, the priest of Shiloh (1 Sam 2:11–4:18). 27 Those of honorable and perceptive dispositions may for the first or second time be corrected with words of admonition; 28 but the shameless and hard, the arrogant or disobedient are to be checked by whipping or other corporal punishment at their first offense, knowing that it is written: The fool is not corrected with words (Prov 29:19), 29 and again, Strike your son with a rod and you will free his soul from death (Prov 23:14). 30 The Abbot must always remember what he is, remember what he is called, and know that from him to whom more is committed, more is required (Luke 12:48). 31 And he must know how difficult and arduous is his received task of ruling souls and serving different temperaments: complimenting some, rebuking others, using persuasion with still others; 32 and according to the unique qualities and intelligence of each he must so conform and adapt himself that not only will the flock committed to him suffer no loss, but he will truly rejoice in the increase of a good flock. 33 Above all he must not, by disregarding or undervaluing the salvation of the souls committed to him, be more solicitous for transitory, earthly, and perishable things; 34 rather let him always ponder that he who has received the ruling of souls must render an account of them (cf. Luke 16:2). 35 And that he may not plead as his excuse a lack of resources, let him remember what is written: Seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice, and