Becoming a Community of Disciples

Chapter 3: Legislative Teachings – Other Monastic Offices

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must reasonably and with humility deny the bad request. 8 He is to keep custody over his own soul, remembering always that apostolic saying: he who has ministered well acquires a good standing for himself (1 Tim 3:13). 9 He is to care for the sick, for children, for guests, and for the poor with all solicitude 2 , knowing without doubt that for all these he will have to give an account on the Day of Judgment (cf. Luke 16:2). 10 He is to look upon all the vessels and goods of the monastery as though they were the sacred vessels of the altar. 11 He is not to neglect anything. 12 He is not to be avaricious 3 , not wasteful, not be a squanderer of the monastery’s resources; rather he is to do everything in proper measure and according to the order of his Abbot. 13 Above all else he is to have humility: when he has nothing material to give to one who makes a request he is to offer at least a kind word, 14 as it is written: A kind word is higher than the best gift (Sir 18:17). 15 All that the Abbot has entrusted to him he is to have in his care, and he is not to presume to do what has been forbidden him. 16 To the brothers he is to offer their allotted ration of food without condescension or delay, so that they are not scandalized, remembering what the Sacred Text says is merited by one who scandalizes one of these little ones (Matt 18:6). 17 If the community is large, helpers are to be given to him, thanks to whose assistance he may retain a peaceful soul while fulfilling the office committed to him. 18 Only at the appropriate hours are items for distribution to be

2 Solicitude – attentiveness. 3 Avaricious – greedy.