The Discerning Hearts Blog Archives - Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB and Kris McGregor reflect on one of the central themes of the Rule: obedience as the art of deep listening. Drawing from Chapter 5, St. Benedict teaches that obedience is far more than external compliance. Rooted in the Latin oboedire, meaning “to listen,” it is an attentive response to the voice of God. Fr. Mauritius explains that this kind of obedience is not blind or slavish but a lifelong process of learning to surrender one’s own will in love and trust. As humility deepens, obedience becomes less about obligation and more about freely responding to God’s invitation.

Throughout the conversation, Fr. Mauritius explores the relationship between obedience, trust, discernment, and freedom. He acknowledges that obedience can involve struggle, sacrifice, and even suffering, especially when authority is imperfect. Yet St. Benedict’s wisdom encourages careful discernment while reminding us that Christ can speak through others and through the circumstances of our lives. Sharing stories from monastic life and the witness of the saints, Fr. Mauritius illustrates how faithful obedience often reveals God’s providence in ways that only become clear with time, leading the believer toward greater freedom, maturity, and love.

From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:

Of Obedience

This obedience, however, will be acceptable to God and agreeable to men then only, if what is commanded is done without hesitation, delay, lukewarmness, grumbling or complaint, because the obedience which is rendered to Superiors is rendered to God. For He Himself hath said: “He that heareth you heareth Me” (Lk 10:16). And it must be rendered by the disciples with a good will, “for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). ” For if the disciple obeyeth with an ill will, and murmureth, not only with lips but also in his heart, even though he fulfil the command, yet it will not be acceptable to God, who regardeth the heart of the murmurer. And for such an action he acquireth no reward; rather he incurreth the penalty of murmurers, unless he maketh satisfactory amendment.

Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

The post HR 17 – Listening to God’s Voice…Obedience – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s warning about the technocratic paradigm. The Holy Father teaches that technology is not simply a tool when it becomes the standard by which everything is judged. When efficiency, control, profit, and measurable results become the main measure of decisions, the dignity of the human person can be pushed aside.

This reflection considers how the technocratic mindset enters ordinary life. Workplaces can prize productivity while ignoring exhaustion. Schools can reduce a struggling child to a score. Health systems can become efficient while leaving the elderly unseen. Even ministry can be tempted to measure fruit only by numbers, clicks, downloads, or reach, rather than by the hidden work of grace in the soul.

Through the light of Matthew 16:26, this episode invites us to ask what truly measures a human life. A discerning heart notices where efficiency has become more important than love, where technology has begun to shape impatience, and where the Holy Spirit is calling us back to the slower, deeper measure of Christ.

Selection from Magnifica Humanitas

Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Chapter Three, nos. 92-94:

“Technology is not simply a tool. When it becomes the standard by which everything is judged, it begins to dictate what matters and what can be discarded, reducing creation to an object of exploitation and human beings to mere cogs in a system driven toward ever greater efficiency.”

“Technological progress, valuable in itself, requires careful discernment of the anthropological vision that guides it and the ends it pursues. If technological development advances without a corresponding ethical and social progress, the result may be an increase in means without a growth in humanity: ‘having more’ without ‘being more.’”

Matthew 16:26, RSV–Catholic Edition

Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.

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In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:

If we do not venture to approach men who are in power, except with humility and reverence, when we wish to ask a favor, how much must we beseech the Lord God of all things with all humility and purity of devotion? And let us be assured that it is not in many words, but in the purity of heart and tears of compunction that we are heard. For this reason prayer ought to be short and pure, unless, perhaps it is lengthened by the inspiration of divine grace. At the community exercises, however, let the prayer always be short, and the sign having been given by the Superior, let all rise together.  (Holy Rule 20)

Glorious Saint Benedict,

To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.

Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.

{mention your petition}

Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.

Amen.

O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.

The post St. Benedict Novena – Day 8 – Discerning Hearts Podcasts appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

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«Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.» Matthew 16:24

The holy couple had many trials—in raising their daughters, in sickness and in grief. St. Zélie told her sister-in-law, « So you see, my dear sister, everyone has troubles. The happiest are only those who are less unhappy. The wisest and simplest thing to do in all this is to resign oneself to the will of God and to prepare oneself to be ready to carry one’s cross as courageously as possible. »

St. Louis told his daughters that one day he made the following prayer for all the graces and blessings he received: « ‘My God, it is too much! Yes, I am too happy, it isn’t possible to go to heaven this way. I want to suffer something for you! I offer myself…’ The word ‘victim’ died on his lips, he didn’t dare pronounce it before us, but we had understood. »

Today, I will offer my day as it comes, with trust and abandonment to God’s will.

Our Father…

Saints Louis and Zélie,

Saints Louis and Zélie, pray for us.

The post Day 7 – Trials – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Recite the following prayers…

Our Father…

Our Lady of Mount Carmel,

The post Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Day 3 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

As you begin, take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  For at least the next few moments, surrender all the cares and concerns of this day to the Lord.

Say slowly from your heart “Jesus, I Trust In You…You Take Over”

Become aware that He is with you, looking upon you with love, wanting to be heard deep within in your heart…

From the Holy Gospel According to Matthew 10:7-15

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.

What word made this passage come alive for you?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more give the Lord an opportunity to speak to you:

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.

What did your heart feel as you listened?

What did you sense the Lord saying to you?

Once more, through Him, with Him and in Him listen to the Word:

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.

What touched your heart in this time of prayer?

What did your heart feel as you prayed?

What do you hope to carry with you from this time with the Lord?

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

 but deliver us from evil.

Amen

The post Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

In this episode of Magnificent Humanity for the Discerning Heart, we reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that social justice is a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel. The Holy Father reminds us that Christ identifies Himself with the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, the stranger, and the vulnerable. Justice begins when the “least among us” is no longer an idea, but a person placed before us.

This reflection considers how the Gospel sharpens our sight and asks us to notice those who are easily overlooked. The elderly neighbor, the family embarrassed to ask for help, the person who stands alone after Mass, the worker treated as disposable, and the person excluded by poverty, illness, or lack of access all belong within the concern of Christian love.

Pope Leo XIV also brings this teaching into the world of technology and artificial intelligence. Innovations can foster participation and justice, or they can deepen inequality, control, and exclusion. Through the light of Matthew 25:40, this episode invites us to ask whether our choices help others live with greater dignity, deeper communion, and more room for God.

Selection from Magnifica Humanitas

Pope Leo XIV, Magnifica Humanitas, Introduction, nos. 77 and 85:

“For the Christian community, social justice is a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel. In the New Testament, Jesus proclaims the ‘good news to the poor’ (Lk 4:18) and identifies himself with the lowly, the sick, the imprisoned and strangers (cf. Mt 25:31-46).”

“Technological innovations, including artificial intelligence, are not neutral, for they can either foster participation and justice or exacerbate inequality, control and exclusion. For this reason, they must be evaluated by asking a crucial question: Do they truly help individuals and peoples to become more humane and fraternal, while respecting our common home and future generations?”

Matthew 25:40, RSV–Catholic Edition

Copyright © 2026 Kris McGregor. All rights reserved. No portion of this content may be reproduced, distributed, published, or transmitted in any form, including audio, print, or digital media, without prior written permission from Discerning Hearts®.

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In the Holy Rule, St. Benedict you have said:

We believe that God is present everywhere and that the eyes of the Lord behold the good and the bad in every place (cf Prov 15:3). Let us firmly believe this, especially when we take part in the Work of God. Let us, therefore, always be mindful of what the Prophet says, “Serve the Lord with fear” (Ps 2:11). And again, “Sing wisely” (Ps 46[47]:8). And, “I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels” (Ps 137[138]:1). Therefore, let us consider how it becomes us to behave in the sight of God and His angels, and let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.  (Holy Rule 19)

Glorious Saint Benedict,

To you I have recourse in the dangers that daily surround me.

Graciously obtain for me from God those favors and graces which I need so much in the trials, miseries and afflictions of life.

{mention your petition}

Help me, great Saint Benedict, to live and die as a faithful child of God, to run in the sweetness of His loving will, and to attain the eternal happiness of heaven.

Amen.

O Holy Father, St. Benedict, pray for us.

The post St. Benedict Novena – Day 7 – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

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«Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.» Luke 6:36

Sts. Louis and Zélie, aware of their own weakness, let the mercy of God transform them, and they tried to live it and pass it on in their everyday lives. Céline relates: « In her old age, Marie, our oldest sister, still remembered with regret, and even with tears, the sighs of our Mother in noticing the damage Marie had done to her lace, damage which our Mother herself repaired, at the price of late nights and fatigue, without addressing any reproach to her daughter. »

« Following the example of my Father, Mother also practiced kindness in judging others, never allowing herself to speak ill of her neighbor, even being delicate and scrupulous in this regard, and reproaching herself, sometimes with great humility, for the little interjections spurred by her vivaciousness. »

On this topic, Zélie said: « I had the weakness of making fun of Madame Y; I’ll regret it forever. I don’t know why I don’t like her. She’s never been anything but helpful and nice to me. … Thus I want to change completely for the good. I’ve already started because for some time I’ve been taking every opportunity to speak well of this woman. »

Today, I will try not to speak ill of others, and I will ask the Lord for the grace to forgive those who have harmed me.

Our Father…

Saints Louis and Zélie,

Saints Louis and Zélie, pray for us.

The post Day 6 – Mercy – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

St. Bonaventure you have said:

In beautiful things St. Francis saw Beauty itself, and through His vestiges imprinted on creation he followed his Beloved everywhere, making from all things a ladder by which he could climb up and embrace Him who is utterly desirable. If you desire to know … ask grace, not instruction; desire, not understanding; the groaning of prayer, not diligent reading; the Spouse, not the teacher; God, not man; darkness not clarity; not light, but fire that totally inflames and carries us into God by ecstatic unctions and burning affections.

Dear St. Bonaventure

All-powerful Father,

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