Chapter 2.23-29
| In his teaching, the abbot should always observe the Apostle’s recommendation, in which he says: Use argument, appeal, reproof (2 Tim 4:2). This means that he must vary with circumstances, threatening and coaxing by turns, stern as a taskmaster, devoted and tender as only a father can be. With undisciplined and restless, he will use firm argument; with the obedient and docile and patient, he will appeal for greater virtue; but as for the negligent and disdainful, we charge him to use reproof and rebuke. He should not gloss over the sins of those who err, but cut them out while he can, as soon as they begin to sprout, remember the fate of Eli, priest of Shiloh (1 Sam 2:11-4:18). For upright and perceptive men, his first and second warning should b everbal; but those whoa re evil or stubbor, arrogant or disobedience, he can curb only by blows or some other physical punishment at the first offense. It is written, the fool cannot be corrected with words (Prov 29:19); and again, Strike your son with a rod and you will free his soul from death (Prov 23:14). |
Reflection
The abbot must not be passive as Eli was to his sons; otherwise, tragedy awaits. In Eli’s day, Shiloh was the worship center for Israel. While he was the high priest of Shiloh, Eli had two sons who displeased God for stealing from the sacrifice. We read, “The sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord; for the men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt” (1 Sam 2:17).
The Lord revealed his plan for Eli to his servant, Samuel, “On that day I will fulfil against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I will tell him that I am about to punish his house for ever, for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons were blasheming God, and he did not restrain them” (1 Sam 3:12-13). The terrible fate of Eli’s sons came about when the Philistines defeated Israel and took the Ark, which was under the care of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. They were slain. A man of God came to Eli, who died a tragic death: “Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken, and he died, for he was an old man, and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years” (2 Sam 4:18).
The abbot is rooted in Christ and able to discern well. All his decisions regarding serving a variety of temperaments are navigated by the movements of his heart, which should be fashioned in Christ. Having difficult conversations with community members is never easy. The abbot’s task is not management, it is fatherhood, so that his monks can grow in Christ.
Prayer
O God, move my heart to be like yours. Give me the words to speak at every moment. Fill my heart with your loving presence. Amen.
Enlarge my heart 
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