Let the Brethren Serve One Another
The sermon emphasizes the importance of service and charity within a community, with specific responsibilities for each member.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of serving one another in the community, with no one excused from kitchen service except for valid reasons like sickness or important work. This service not only brings rewards but also fosters charity among the brethren. Helpers should be provided for the weak to prevent distress, and assistance should be given based on the community's size or circumstances. Those with greater responsibilities or utility are excused from kitchen duties, while the rest are encouraged to serve one another in love.
Text
Let the brethren serve one another, and let no one be excused from the kitchen service except by reason of sickness or occupation in some important work. For this service brings increase of reward and of charity. But let helpers be provided for the weak ones, that they may not be distressed by this work; and indeed let everyone have help, as required by the size of the community or the circumstances of the locality. If the community is a large one, the cellarer shall be excused from the kitchen service; and so also those whose occupations are of greater utility, as we said above. Let the rest serve one another in charity.
The one who is ending his week of service shall do the cleaning on Saturday.
He shall wash the towels with which the brethren wipe their hands and feet; and this server who is ending his week, aided by the one who is about to begin, shall wash the feet of all the brethren. He shall return the utensils of his office to the cellarer clean and in good condition, and the cellarer in turn shall consign them to the incoming server, in order that he may know what he gives out and what he receives back.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Service
- Exemptions from Service
- Responsibilities of the Cellarer
- Exemption from kitchen service in large communities
- Responsibility for utensils and supplies
Key Quotes
“For this service brings increase of reward and of charity.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Let the brethren serve one another, and let no one be excused from the kitchen service except by reason of sickness or occupation in some important work.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- We should all strive to serve one another in charity, regardless of our circumstances.
- Those who are able should help the weak ones in the community.
- We should take responsibility for our tasks and duties within the community.