By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

“This message of mine is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will, once and for all and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience to do battle for the true King, Christ the Lord.” The Rule of St. Benedict: Prologue

The word “obedience” is fraught for many people. But it’s not blind obedience that Benedict calls for.

The word comes from the Latin “obedire.” It means to listen.

Indeed, Benedict begins the Rule by asking his reader to “Listen with the ear of the heart.” In other words, to listen deeply and without a personal agenda.

When we really listen, we move away from selfish behaviors, self-centeredness and self-promotion.

We put God at the center of our lives … and through God, all.

When we do this, we become Christian in our behavior. We model the love, the compassion, the mercy, the forgiveness – the open-armed hospitality to all – that Jesus modeled to us.

We show Heaven on earth. Join us! ❤