The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor

Episode 18 – The Third Degree of Humility

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on the third degree of humility in Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule. St. Benedict brings humility into concrete daily life by placing it within relationships and legitimate authority. Humility is revealed not only in interior intention but in how the heart responds when another’s direction stands between personal preference and faithful action.

This obedience is offered for the love of God and lived within the order of community and vocation. When what is asked belongs to truth and charity, the heart receives it as part of God’s providence. Benedict points directly to Christ, who entrusted Himself to the Father in obedience even unto death. Through ordinary acts of faithful response, this degree of humility trains the heart in freedom, where trust begins to replace resistance and fidelity grows steadily.

Citations

Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 7 § 34-35 (RB 1980)

“The third degree of humility is that a person submit himself in obedience to a superior,
for the love of God,
imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle says:
‘He became obedient unto death.’”

“Tertius humilitatis gradus est, ut subditus oboedientiam pro Dei amore maiori praebeat, imitans Dominum, de quo Apostolus dicit: Factus oboediens usque ad mortem.”

Philippians 2:8, RSV–CE

“And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.”

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How do I respond internally when I receive direction that interrupts my preference?
Do I view obedience within legitimate authority as a burden or as part of God’s providence?
Where in my vocation or daily responsibilities am I invited to practice relational humility?
How does Christ’s obedience to the Father illuminate this degree of humility?
What might change if I carried out a directive today simply and faithfully, without modifying it?

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The Rule Of St. Benedict For Daily Life: Learning To Listen To God With A Discerning Heart

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