At the Gate of the Monastery
St. Benedict emphasizes the importance of a wise gatekeeper and community structure for spiritual growth within the monastery.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of hospitality and service within the monastery, appointing a wise old woman as the porter to receive and give messages with maturity and meekness. The porter is instructed to promptly attend to those who come to the gate, responding with gratitude and warmth, inspired by the fear of God and charity. St. Benedict also highlights the need for the monastery to be self-sufficient, providing all necessary resources within the enclosure to prevent the sisters from wandering outside, which may not be beneficial for their spiritual well-being. The Rule of St. Benedict is to be frequently read in the community to ensure that all sisters are aware of their responsibilities.
Text
At the gate of the monastery
let there be placed a wise old woman,
who knows how to receive and to give a message,
and whose maturity will prevent her from straying about.
This porter should have a room near the gate,
so that those who come may always find someone at hand
to attend to their business.
And as soon as anyone knocks or a poor person hails her,
let her answer "Thanks be to God" or "A blessing!"
Then let her attend to them promptly,
with all the meekness inspired by the fear of God
and with the warmth of charity.
Should the porter need help,
let her have one of the younger sisters.
If it can be done,
the monastery should be so established
that all the necessary things,
such as water, mill, garden and various workshops,
may be within the enclosure,
so that there is no necessity
for the sisters to go about outside of it,
since that is not at all profitable for their souls.
We desire that this Rule be read often in the community,
so that none of the sisters may excuse herself
on the ground of ignorance.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Importance of the gatekeeper - Qualities of the wise old woman - Role in communication
- II points: - Response to visitors - Attitude of meekness and charity - Spiritual implications of greetings
- III points: - Support for the porter - Involvement of younger sisters - Community cooperation
- IV points: - Self-sufficiency of the monastery - Importance of internal resources - Spiritual benefits of enclosure
- V points: - Regular reading of the Rule - Avoiding ignorance - Community accountability
Key Quotes
“let there be placed a wise old woman, who knows how to receive and to give a message” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Thanks be to God or A blessing!” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“the monastery should be so established that all the necessary things...may be within the enclosure” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Cultivate a spirit of hospitality by greeting others with warmth and gratitude.
- Encourage collaboration among community members to support one another's roles.
- Regularly engage with foundational teachings to foster understanding and accountability.