BW13 – Obedience Without Murmuring – The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life with Kris McGregor – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life: Learning to Listen to God with a Discerning Heart with Kris McGregor Episode 13 – Obedience Without Murmuring In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s warning against murmuring. Obedience is not only about completing a task. It includes the consent of the heart. When the exterior action is finished but the interior resistance remains, the heart is divided. The Holy Rule teaches that fidelity requires unity between action and intention. Murmuring often disguises itself as realism or justified complaint. Yet it quietly corrodes peace and weakens obedience. St. Benedict calls the disciple to offer obedience without resentment or interior protest, entrusting reluctance to God rather than spreading complaint. This episode invites listeners to practice obedience as a single offering, modeled on Christ, who entrusted Himself to the Father even when the path was costly. Citations Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 5 §§ 14-15 (RB 1980) “The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience,
which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.” “Haec ipsa oboedientia non timore aut cunctanter aut murmuratione aut responsione tarditatis impenditur; quia talis oboedientia Deo non accepta est.” John 5:30. RSV–CE “I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. Do I complete tasks outwardly while remaining inwardly resistant?
2. How does murmuring show up in my tone, gestures or subtle comments?
3. When I feel reluctant, do I bring that struggle to God in prayer or carry it into conversation?
4. What legitimate authority or responsibility in my life challenges my interior consent?
5. How might finishing one task quietly and without commentary form greater interior freedom?

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 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®.