Listening with the Heart – Calling

“This message is now for you, if you are willing to surrender your own will and take up the strong and noble weapons of obedience, to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.”

The Rule of St Benedict, Prologue

Over the past three weeks we have reflected on listening, obedience and returning.

Benedict now turns towards the person who has heard these words.

“This message is now for you.”

Benedict moves from speaking about the human condition in general to addressing the individual. The Rule is not written for an ideal Christian who has already arrived. It is written for the person who hears these words and must decide how they will respond.

Benedict does not ask about our achievements, our knowledge or our spiritual maturity. He simply speaks to the person who is willing to listen.

Throughout Scripture, God calls ordinary people. He calls Abraham, Moses, Samuel, the disciples. Ordinary people who certainly don’t have it all together. None of them begin the journey with everything worked out. They hear the call and respond.

That same invitation comes to us.

“This message is now for you.”

That changes how we read the Rule. We are not simply reading about what Benedict believed Christians should do. We are being asked to consider how these words speak to our own lives and how they will impact our ordinary everyday lives.

A Practice for the Week

At the beginning of each day, place yourself before God and pray:

“Lord, teach me to desire Your will above my own.”

Then consider one area of your life where you find it difficult to surrender control.

Bring that area honestly before God.

Ask Him for the grace to trust Him more deeply.

A Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You call me to follow Christ and to place my life under His rule.

Give me humility to recognise where my own will resists Your wisdom.

Teach me to surrender what keeps me from You.

Form my heart through obedience, that I may become more faithful in following Christ, the true King.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.