St Benedict: Enlarging the Heart

The concluding paragraph of the Prologue to the Rule of St Benedict sets out the purpose of monastic life, but, like a great deal of the Rule, is applicable to Christians in all states of life, describing as it does what we need to do in order to follow Jesus Christ whatever our circumstances:

But if in some things we proceed with a little severity, sound reason so advising, for the amendment of vices or preserving of charity, do not straightway out of fear of this flee from the way of salvation which is always strait and difficult in the beginning.

But in process of time and growth of faith, when the heart has once been enlarged, the way of God’s commandments is run with unspeakable sweetness of love.

So that, never departing from His teaching, but persevering in the monastery in His doctrine until death, we share now by patience in the sufferings of Christ, that we may deserve afterwards to be partakers of His kingdom.