Proverb 8:34-35
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives
favor from the LORD.
Wisdom is to be sought after. In the Rule of Saint Benedict a guide to monastic living, those seeking to enter the monastery had to prove their earnestness before being allowed to enter. Chapter 58 gives the following guidelines:
Do not grant newcomers to the monastic life an easy entry, but, as
the Apostle says, Test the spirits to see if they are from God
(1 John 4:1). Therefore, if someone comes and keeps knocking at
the door, and if at the end of four or five days he has shown himself
patient in bearing his harsh treatment and difficulty of entry, and
has persisted in his request, then he should be allowed to enter and
stay in the guest quarters for a few days. After that, he should live
in the novitiate, where the novices study, eat and sleep.
Like the persistent widow in Luke 18, we must give ourselves no rest until we get a blessing that wisdom promises.
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