Obedience also holds a special place in Benedict's community. The exercise of authority in the Rule points more to mercy than justice, more to understanding of human weakness than strict accountability, more to love than zeal. What defines the leader of a Benedictine community is not being head of an institution but being in relationship with all the members. It emphasizes the preeminent position which hospitality occupies in every Benedictine monastery. The Way of St. Benedict .
Stewardship is another value which, like hospitality, captures the essence of Benedictine life.
Thus, Benedictine communities are ready to accept the most recent technology but will use the same bucket for thirty years. The wisdom of Benedict's Rule lies in its flexibility, its tolerance for individual differences, and its openness to change. For over 1500 years, it has remained a powerful and relevant guide for those who would seek God in the ordinary circumstances of life. When Benedict wrote his Rule, society seemed to be falling apart. Though materially prosperous, the Roman Empire was in a state of decline.