Chapter 63: The consequences of libration

Freed from societal rankings and judgments, Benedict's monks understood their place was set only by the day of their arrival.  Subject to the same list of duties of prayer, study, and work, each established themselves by their acceptance of and performance of their common duties and responsibilities.

In practice, those who strove to meet the demands of their new world, who acted and spoke with gentleness, kindness, and respect for place and one another--were so recognized for who they were in the world of the monastery--not by former title or station of life but by how they lived their lives.  What would our world be like today if each of us and those around us lived this way?