Benedict continues his theme of moderation as he discusses food and, in this chapter, drink. He also recognizes that each person is uniquely gifted by God. One may reason that we are all created in the image of God, so we are uniform in our abilities and needs. However, this is a poor understanding of our creation. God is so vast in His person that the collection of all our individual personalities scarcely offer a glimpse of His nature. So, we must approach with caution any attempt to specify too strictly uniform constraints on one another. Instead, Benedict considers the effects of food and drink. He considers both the positive effects of nourishment and pleasure and the negative effects of over indulgences of gluttony and drunkenness.
Care is given to the physical condition of the person, as well as the environment where they live. Is the person sick or well? What is the season of the year? Benedict’s encouragement is that we agree on moderation as a measured precaution to harms of excess. Above all things, he admonishes us to not grumble. Grumbling is the birthplace of dissention and leads to rebellion. So, like elsewhere in The Rule, he is quick to act against complainers.
Benedict refers to the Apocryphal verse in Sirach 19:2 which cautions against the influence of fermented drink, wine makes even wise men go astray, but he does not impose prohibition against it. Each person must know their own selves and discipline themselves accordingly. Of course, we benefit from the observance of others and submit ourselves to the accountability of wise counsel. This is further evidence of Benedict’s understanding of human nature and his appreciation that God created each uniquely for His glory. May we seek to live in community, respecting one another, submitting to one another, and refraining from lording over one another by attempting to impose our personal preferences. Together, may we all seek to submit daily to the authority of our Savior and Lord, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
