Becoming a Community of Disciples

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Becoming a Community of Disciples

7 But if anyone is found engaging in this most destructive vice he is to be admonished once or twice: 8 if he does not amend he is to be subjected to correction. The Measure of Food (RBen §39) 1 We believe it will suffice for the daily meal, whether at the sixth or ninth hour, that there be on all tables two dishes of cooked food on account of the variety of illnesses: 2 so that he who is not able to eat one may make his meal of the other. 3 Therefore two cooked dishes will suffice for all the brothers; and if there is any fruit or young vegetables, a third dish is be added. 4 A liberal pound of bread should suffice each day, whether there is only one meal or both lunch and dinner: 5 and if they are to have dinner, a third part of their pound is to be kept back by the cellarer, and returned to them at dinner. 6 If it happens that the work is heavier the Abbot can choose to exercise his power, when expedient, to add something, 7 provided that before all else overindulgence is avoided, and that no monk suffers indigestion. 8 For nothing is more contrary to all things Christian than overindulgence, 9 as Our Lord says: See that your hearts are not weighed down through overindulgence (Luke 21:34). 10 To children of immature years the same quantity should not be given: instead, they should receive less than their elders, frugality being observed in all matters. 11 But all are to abstain from eating the flesh of four- footed animals, except the sick who are very weak.