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

Episode 44 – St. Gregory the Great – The Pastoral Rule: Guarding What Is Hidden

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Gregory the Great and reflects on a quieter danger in the spiritual life: not open failure, but the slow erosion that can come through long responsibility, weariness, and the desire to be seen as good, dependable, or necessary. Gregory knows that what is at risk...

A Special Holy Thursday Reflection – Building a Kingdom of Love with Msgr. John Esseff

Msgr. John Esseff reflects deeply on the meaning of Holy Thursday, focusing especially on Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet and the institution of the Eucharist. He describes the foot-washing as a sign of humility and love that all Christians are called to imitate, not just toward family and friends, but especially toward enemies and those most difficult to serve. This act, performed by Christ before his Passion, is framed as his last will and testament—a mandate to serve others with pro...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 44: Love Poured Out

Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible)

John 13:1–15 
It was before the festival of the Passover, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father. He had always loved those who were his in the world, but now he showed how perfect his love was.

They were at supper, and the devil had already put it into the mind of Judas Iscariot son o...

Holy Thursday – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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 of St. John 13:1-15

It was before the festival of the Passove...



Taking Up Our Cross. . .In Imitation of Christ

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—Am I willing to do small things for Christ?

Seek—Volunteer to do a task that no one wants to do, a menial or unpleasant one, all the while uniting yourself with the Passion and death of Jesus.

Knock—Meditate on Philippians 2:5–8.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be gras...

In place of provincialism, respect and tolerance

– The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B

In this episode of The Holy Rule of St. Benedict: A Spiritual Path for Today’s World, Kris McGregor and Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, explore the challenge of overcoming provincialism through the Benedictine virtues of respect and tolerance. Within the stability of monastic life, there exists a real temptation to turn inward and lose sight of the broader human family. St. Benedict addresses this by fostering communities composed of people from different backgrounds, cult...

Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce

In this episode of The Great Works in Western Literature,  Joseph Pearce and Kris McGregor explore Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, a foundational work of American literature that offers a profound meditation on sin, repentance, and redemption. Set within a Puritan community, the novel examines the consequences of moral failure while also revealing the deeper Christian call to mercy and reconciliation. Pearce highlights how Hawthorne challenges both the self-righteousness of judgmental religion and the despair of hidden sin, presenting instead a vis...

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

Episode 43 – St. Gregory the Great – The Pastoral Rule: Discretion and Self-Knowledge

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Gregory the Great and turns to a danger that often follows responsibility: losing sight of one’s own soul while caring for others. Gregory understands how easily outward activity can create the illusion of fidelity while the interior life grows thin, neglected, or evasive. For that r...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 43: The Price of Betrayal

Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible)

Matthew 26:14–25 
One of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you prepared to give me if I hand him over to you?” They paid him thirty silver pieces, and from that moment he looked for an opportunity to betray him.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus to say, “Whe...

Wednesday of Holy Week – A Time of Lectio Divina for the Discerning Heart Podcast

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 of St. Matthew 26:14-25

One of the Twelve, the man cal...



Taking Up Our Cross. . .Be Prepared

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—How well do I prepare for the Eucharist I receive at Mass?

Seek——Try to participate fully in the Eucharist each time you are present; if possible, attend daily. Be mindful of what you do at Mass, what you hear and how you respond. Learn more about the Mass.

Knock—Meditate on 1 Corinthians 11:27–30.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning...

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

Episode 42 – St. Gregory the Great – The Pastoral Rule: Compassion Rooted in Prayer

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor turns to St. Gregory the Great, monk, pope, and Doctor of the Church, whose Pastoral Rule speaks with unusual depth about the relationship between contemplation and responsibility. Gregory knew both the silence of monastic life and the heavy demands of pastoral office. Because of that, he writes with...

St. Joseph’s World – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina

Kris McGregor and Mike Aquilina explore St. Joseph by placing him within the sweeping history of Israel, especially the lineage of Abraham and King David as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. This genealogy is not incidental but central, revealing a family story rooted in concrete historical events, carefully preserved over centuries. The people of Israel maintained detailed ancestral records because they trusted that God’s promises—though sometimes appearing delayed—would be fulfilled. This long view of history reveals a pattern: d...

A Lenten Spiritual Journey with Discerning Hearts: From Ashes to Glory – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 42: A Table Prepared

Scripture Reading: (Jerusalem Bible)

John 13:21–33, 36–38
Having said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me.”
The disciples looked at one another, wondering which he meant. The disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus; Simon Peter signed to him and said, “Ask who it is he means,” so leaning back on Jesus’ breast he said, “Who is it, Lord?”