I apologize for the tardiness of this post; I had the whole thing typed up with a nice intro on my Blogger app on my phone. Then it just disappeared. All of those words like I had never written them.
So, no nice intro today. Just going to jump to the content.
Chapter 3
Summoning the Brothers for Counsel
As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together and himself explain what the business is;
and after hearing the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it and follow what he judges the wiser course.
The reason why we have said all should be called for counsel is that the Lord often reveals what is better to the younger.
The brothers, for their part, are to express their opinions with all humility, and not presume to defend their own views obstinately.
The decision is rather the abbot's to make, so that when he has determined what is more prudent, all may obey.
Nevertheless, just as it is proper for disciples to obey their master, so it is becoming for the master on his part to settle everything with foresight and fairness.
Accordingly in every instance, all are to follow the teaching of the rule, and no one shall rashly deviate from it.
In the monastery no one is to follow his own heart's desire, nor shall anyone presume to contend with his abbot defiantly, or outside the monastery.
Should anyone presume to do so, let him be subjected to the discipline of the rule.
Moreover, the abbot himself must fear God and keep the rule in everything he does; he can be sure beyond any doubt that he will have to give an account of all his judgements to God, the most just of judges.
If less important business of the monastery is to be transacted, he shall take counsel with the seniors only,
as it is written: Do everything with counsel and you will not be sorry afterward (Sir 32:24).
***NOTE ***
So, we see that in everything the abbot is to take counsel. For the important things he gathers all of the brothers to get their input, and wisely judges whet is best. For the bit so immigrant thing the abbot takes counsel with the senior brothers.
So, no nice intro today. Just going to jump to the content.
Chapter 3
Summoning the Brothers for Counsel
As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together and himself explain what the business is;
and after hearing the advice of the brothers, let him ponder it and follow what he judges the wiser course.
The reason why we have said all should be called for counsel is that the Lord often reveals what is better to the younger.
The brothers, for their part, are to express their opinions with all humility, and not presume to defend their own views obstinately.
The decision is rather the abbot's to make, so that when he has determined what is more prudent, all may obey.
Nevertheless, just as it is proper for disciples to obey their master, so it is becoming for the master on his part to settle everything with foresight and fairness.
Accordingly in every instance, all are to follow the teaching of the rule, and no one shall rashly deviate from it.
In the monastery no one is to follow his own heart's desire, nor shall anyone presume to contend with his abbot defiantly, or outside the monastery.
Should anyone presume to do so, let him be subjected to the discipline of the rule.
Moreover, the abbot himself must fear God and keep the rule in everything he does; he can be sure beyond any doubt that he will have to give an account of all his judgements to God, the most just of judges.
If less important business of the monastery is to be transacted, he shall take counsel with the seniors only,
as it is written: Do everything with counsel and you will not be sorry afterward (Sir 32:24).
***NOTE ***
So, we see that in everything the abbot is to take counsel. For the important things he gathers all of the brothers to get their input, and wisely judges whet is best. For the bit so immigrant thing the abbot takes counsel with the senior brothers.
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