It is useless to subdue the flesh by abstinence, unless one gives up his irregular life, and abandons vices which defile his soul.
Be careful to be gentle, lest in removing the rust, you break the whole instrument.
He should first show them in deeds rather than words all that is good and holy.
Listen and attend with the ear of your heart.
The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.
Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading.
Before all, and above all, attention shall be paid to the care of the sick, so that they shall be served as if they were Christ Himself.
There is nothing better to display the truth in an excellent light, than a clear and simple statement of facts.
Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the inspiration of Divine grace.
Listen carefully, my child, to your master’s precepts, and incline the ear of your heart. Receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father’s advice, that by the labor of obedience you may return to Him from whom you had departed by the sloth of disobedience.
Idleness is an enemy of the soul.
And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace.
To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself; but to recognize always that the evil is one’s own doing, and to impute it on one’s self.
The sleepy like to make excuses.
The prophet shows that, for the sake of silence, we are to abstain even from good talk. If this be so, how much more needful is it that we refrain from evil words, on account of the penalty of the sin!
It is time now for us to rise from sleep.
He who has ears for hearing, let him listen.
Then are they truly monks when they live by the labor of their hands.
Almighty God, give me wisdom to perceive You, intelligence to understand You, diligence to seek You, patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You, a heart to meditate upon You and life to proclaim You, through the power of the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us take part in the psalmody in such a way that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.