Benedict’s Rule isn’t fair. If you want everything divided equally among everyone you won’t be happy with how Benedict does things. In Chapter 34 he addresses the distribution of goods, and he recognizes it won’t happen equally, but it will be done based on need. “Whoever needs less should thank God and not be distressed, but whoever needs more should feel humble because of his weakness, not self-important because of the kindness shown to him,” is how Benedict describes it.

Most pastors will tell you they don’t spend an equal amount of time with all their church members. More of my pastoral care is usually directed toward a smaller group that has significant needs. Often the pillars of a church--the folks whose wisdom and presence and work and giving support the church--receive less of a pastor’s care. It’s probably a place where the 80/20 rule is true in that 20 percent of a congregation is given 80 percent of a pastor’s total care. It’s not that I care more or less for some, it’s just that needs are different and time isn’t always divided equally.

Jesus told a story about this, a shepherd leaving 99 sheep to find one lost sheep. It seems unequal to neglect the 99 to find the one lost sheep, but that’s what he does. I remember my grandma, years ago, making a point of telling us that all the Easter candy in our baskets was counted and divided equally. She did that to preserve the peace between kids. Benedict approaches this differently. He wants those in charge of who gets what to know each person and each person’s needs, and to share things based on who needs what, and he wants most of all those who receive to be at peace with whatever they need and receive.