In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s promise that perseverance leads to joy. As the Prologue draws toward its close, Benedict speaks of running on the path of God’s commandments with hearts overflowing in the delight of love. The spiritual life is not sustained by pressure or strain, but by love that slowly reshapes the heart. Through steady, ordinary faithfulness, what once felt heavy becomes lighter. This episode explores how perseverance, rooted in Christ, opens into quiet joy and freedom.

Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue §21 (RB 1980)

“As we progress in this way of life and in faith,
we shall run on the path of God’s commandments,
our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”

“Curramus via mandatorum Dei, corda dilatata et inenarrabili dilectionis dulcedine gaudentes.”

Hebrews 12:1, RSV–CE
“Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.”

1. Do I approach perseverance as strain or as steady love?

2. Where in my life does faithfulness feel heavy, and what might change if I rooted it more deeply in love?

3. How have small, repeated acts of obedience shaped my heart over time?

4. What does quiet joy look like in my daily responsibilities?

5. How can I carry an ordinary task today with steadiness rather than resistance?

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