"Let the abbot appointed consider always what an office he has undertaken and to whom he has to give an account of his stewardship; and let him know that it is his duty rather to profit his brethren than to preside over them. It behoves him, therefore, to be learned in the law of God, that he may have a treasure of knowledge whence he may bring forth things new and old; and to be chaste, sober and merciful. Let him always set mercy before justice, that he himself may obtain mercy. Let him hate evil, but love the brethren. In administering correction let him act prudently and not go to excess, lest being too zealous in removing the rust he break the vessel. Let him always distrust his own frailty and remember that the bruised reed is not to be broken. By this we do not mean that he should allow evils to grow, but that, as we have said above, he should eradicate them prudently and with charity, in the way which may seem best in each case. And let him study rather to be loved than feared. Let him not be headstrong or anxious, extravagant or obstinate, jealous or over suspicious, for otherwise he will never rest. Let him be prudent and considerate in all his commands; and whether the work which he enjoins concern God or the world, let him always be discreet and moderate, bearing in mind the discretion of holy Jacob, who said: If I cause my flocks to be overdriven, they will all perish in one day.1 So taking these and other examples of discretion, the mother of the virtues, let him so temper all things that the strong may still have something to long after, and the weak may not draw back in alarm. And, especially, let him keep this present Rule in all things; so that having ministered faithfully, he may hear from the Lord what the good servant heard who gave his fellow- servants wheat in due season: Amen, I say unto you, he set him over all his goods"
MC=My Comments- On a personal level we can consider our office as that of being a true child of God, and upon death we will have to give an account. The sooner we realize the truth of this, the more favorable the outcome of magnifying and glorifying God in the highest. The world says: Nothing beat a failure but a try, my take is: Nothing beat a failure, but the grace of God. Let us strive to live accordingly, as is stated in the rules: "be learned in the law of God, have a treasure of knowledge whence he may bring forth things new and old; be chaste, sober and merciful. Always set mercy before justice, that he himself may obtain mercy, hate evil, but love the brethren. In administering correction let him act prudently. Study rather to be loved than feared, not be headstrong or anxious, extravagant or obstinate, jealous or over suspicious. Be prudent and considerate in all commands; and whether the work which he enjoins concern God or the world, let him always be discreet and moderate. So taking these and other examples of discretion, the mother of the virtues, let him so temper. all things that the strong may still have something to long after, and the weak may not draw back in alarm. To march forward towards the new year with high aspirations, is to will and to depend upon graces for success in our coming and our going, day in and day out.
Matthew 24:45-47 “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household to distribute to them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so. Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. |
🎁 "Cling to his most sweet Mother, who carried a Son whom the heavens could not contain; and yet she carried him in the little enclosure of her holy womb and held him on her virginal lap." By Saint Clare of Assisi
🔴 "Let us remain close to the crib, the source of all beauty, joy, and holiness. Let our hearts be molded and transformed by the pure hands of the divine child. . . . Let us love Jesus, so good and so giving, and let us express our love for each other in him." By Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur
👑Oh course my response is: AMEN!!!, a one word oration
👑Like sin sick puppies we're salivating for salvation
👑And thanks be to God a down payment in the form of spiritual biscuits always comes our way
👑Available not just now and then, but each and every single day.
👑This is the season to go beyond being jolly
👑There's something better to capture & delight the senses, more than can fresh holly
👑Nothing can titillate
👑Like the Grand and Glorious "I Am", our God, ever so great
👑Beware of being led astray
👑Lightening fast that happens, okay, okay
👑It's oh so subtly
👑And before you know it, you're headed in the wrong direction unknowingly
👑This time of the year the world frantically woos
👑Intense and resounding are the multiplicity of coos
👑Many stepping stones in the wrong direction to serve as a diversion
👑Never a calling card for spiritual immersion
👑So easy to be led the away from choosing the best over the good
👑So few voices to affirm you in doing what really you should
👑One thing is necessary, on that alone we ought to concentrate
👑Cause in spirit and truth is the only real way to truly celebrate
👑When you get right down to it, all hail to the Spiritual
👑Hoodwinked are those who crown as King the material
👑Time to relive a sublime moment in history, that of the Incarnation.
👑Beg for graces to contemplate Divine Revelation
👑Truth to the soul as a flame, such a real hot sensation
👑At work to intensify with God an ever close relation
👑Possible only to surrendered souls, who this Advent invites the Holy Spirit to touch the depths of their hearts in deep penetration
👑Then oh how wondrous will be our Christmas travel as we await the birth of our Savior in exciting anticipation
tmm/TruGIG
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Info from this site:
artofamaryknollsister.com/Details.asp?ProdID=630&category=2
Christmas December 25 "In face of the hatred and anger of the world, we must bring the gentleness and the smile of the infant Jesus of Bethlehem. In face of the pride of the world, we must bring the littleness and powerlessness of the tiny newborn baby of the crib. . . . Be a tiny baby in the Lord's hands. close your eyes, and put your hand in his. Let go and be supple, and then he can send you where he wants!". By Little Sister Magdeleine of Jesus
Link to video: http://youtu.be/aAvtzHvvNgY