Idleness Is the Enemy of the Soul
St. Benedict emphasizes the importance of occupation and balance between labor and reading in the monastic life.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of staying occupied with both manual labor and sacred reading to combat idleness, which is seen as the enemy of the soul. He provides a structured daily routine for the sisters, balancing work, reading, rest, and prayer, with an emphasis on moderation and living by the labor of their hands. This disciplined approach is aimed at fostering a monastic life dedicated to both physical and spiritual growth.
Text
Idleness is the enemy of the soul.
Therefore the sisters should be occupied
at certain times in manual labor,
and again at fixed hours in sacred reading.
To that end
we think that the times for each may be prescribed as follows.
From Easter until the Calends of October,
when they come out from Prime in the morning
let them labor at whatever is necessary
until about the fourth hour,
and from the fourth hour until about the sixth
let them apply themselves to reading.
After the sixth hour,
having left the table,
let them rest on their beds in perfect silence;
or if anyone may perhaps want to read,
let her read to herself
in such a way as not to disturb anyone else.
Let None be said rather early,
at the middle of the eighth hour,
and let them again do what work has to be done until Vespers.
And if the circumstances of the place or their poverty
should require that they themselves
do the work of gathering the harvest,
let them not be discontented;
for then are they truly monastics
when they live by the labor of their hands,
as did our Fathers and the Apostles.
Let all things be done with moderation, however,
for the sake of the faint-hearted.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Occupation
- Prescribed Times for Labor and Reading
- Moderation and Compassion
- Consideration for the faint-hearted
- Living by the labor of one's hands
- Rest and silence after the sixth hour
Key Quotes
“Idleness is the enemy of the soul.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Let all things be done with moderation, however, for the sake of the faint-hearted.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Let them not be discontented; for then are they truly monastics when they live by the labor of their hands, as did our Fathers and the Apostles.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Make an effort to balance labor and reading in your daily life.
- Prioritize moderation and compassion in your actions and decisions.
- Consider the needs and limitations of others when making choices.