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Description
The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor
Episode 14 – Receiving Admonition and Correction
In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s teaching about receiving correction. As Chapter 5 concludes, obedience is tested in a practical way: how the heart responds when it is admonished or redirected. Correction reveals whether humility is truly taking root. The Holy Rule treats correction not as punishment but as part of ordinary spiritual formation.
St. Benedict calls the disciple to remain teachable, attributing any good to God rather than to personal achievement. Correction, when ordered toward truth and charity, becomes an instrument of growth. This episode explores how accepting fair correction without defensiveness keeps the heart free and receptive to grace, while also clarifying that humility does not mean accepting injustice or abuse. Benedictine formation shapes a heart that remains open, steady and responsive to truth.
Citations
Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 5 §§ 14-15 (RB 1980)
“Those who fear God and do not grow proud of their obedience,
but attribute the good they see in themselves to God, not to themselves,
always expect correction.”
“Qui Deum timent et non extolluntur de oboedientia sua, sed omne bonum quod in se vident Deo deputant, non sibi, semper se corrigendos existimant.”
Proverbs 12:1. RSV–CE
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
- How do I typically respond when someone corrects me?
- Do I instinctively defend myself, explain myself or shift blame?
- Can I distinguish between fair correction and unjust treatment?
- What might change if I expected correction as part of growth rather than as failure?
- How does attributing the good in my life to God protect me from pride?
For other episodes in this series, visit
The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart
Pick up a copy of The Rule of St. Benedict here
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