Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Matthew 23:11-12
“The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus turns our understanding of greatness upside down: “The greatest among you must be your servant.” In a world that often celebrates power, ambition, and self-promotion, Jesus calls us to a different kind of greatness—one rooted in humility and service.

To be a servant is to put others before ourselves, to meet their needs with love and generosity. It is not a sign of weakness but of strength—a strength that comes from knowing who we are as beloved children of God. True humility does not diminish our dignity but elevates it, allowing us to reflect God’s love in our actions.

The Desert Fathers emphasized humility as the foundation of the spiritual life. Abba Macarius taught:

“If you are humble, you will inherit the earth without even trying. Humility brings peace to the soul.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Alphabetical Collection, Macarius 15)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, one of the great teachers of humility, reminds us:

“No spiritual house can stand if humility is not its foundation.” (Sermon on the Song of Songs, 16.2)

Humility is seeing our giftedness as well as our limitations, recognizing that all has a purpose in God’s plan for our lives and His mission to the world. It is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less. It is an interior disposition that recognizes all good comes from God. St. Bernard also warns of the dangers of pride, calling it “the enemy of grace”, for when we seek our own exaltation, we close ourselves off to God’s work in our hearts.

Humility frees us from the burden of constantly proving ourselves. It allows us to serve others with joy, knowing that our reward is not in the praise of men but in the love of God. When we embrace humility, we allow Christ to lead us on the path to true greatness—a greatness measured not by power, but by love.

As we reflect on Jesus’ words, let us consider: How is He calling us to embrace humility and service today? Where do we need to let go of pride and seek instead the grace of a servant’s heart?

1. How can I embrace humility in my daily life?
2. Who are the people God is calling me to serve, and how can I do so with a humble heart?
3. How does serving others draw me closer to Christ, who came to serve and not to be served?
4. In what areas of my life do I struggle with pride, and how can I surrender them to God?

Lord, You humbled Yourself to serve us, even to the point of death on the cross. Teach us to follow Your example, embracing humility and seeking greatness in service. Help us to put others before ourselves and to love as You love. May our lives reflect Your light and bring glory to Your name.

Amen.

This reflection is written by Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts®. The Scripture passage is taken from the Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition), used with permission. No unauthorized use or reproduction is permitted without prior written consent.

In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor reflects on St. Benedict’s teaching about receiving correction. As Chapter 5 concludes, obedience is tested in a practical way: how the heart responds when it is admonished or redirected. Correction reveals whether humility is truly taking root. The Holy Rule treats correction not as punishment but as part of ordinary spiritual formation.

St. Benedict calls the disciple to remain teachable, attributing any good to God rather than to personal achievement. Correction, when ordered toward truth and charity, becomes an instrument of growth. This episode explores how accepting fair correction without defensiveness keeps the heart free and receptive to grace, while also clarifying that humility does not mean accepting injustice or abuse. Benedictine formation shapes a heart that remains open, steady and responsive to truth.

Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 5 §§ 14-15 (RB 1980)

“Those who fear God and do not grow proud of their obedience,
but attribute the good they see in themselves to God, not to themselves,
always expect correction.”

“Qui Deum timent et non extolluntur de oboedientia sua, sed omne bonum quod in se vident Deo deputant, non sibi, semper se corrigendos existimant.”

Proverbs 12:1. RSV–CE

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.”

1. How do I typically respond when someone corrects me?
2. Do I instinctively defend myself, explain myself or shift blame?
3. Can I distinguish between fair correction and unjust treatment?
4. What might change if I expected correction as part of growth rather than as failure?
5. How does attributing the good in my life to God protect me from pride?

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®.

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.

Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 5 §§ 14-15 (RB 1980)

“Such obedience is given not fearfully or hesitantly, nor with murmuring or a response of delay;
for obedience given with these attitudes is not pleasing to God.”

“Haec ipsa oboedientia non timore aut cunctanter aut murmuratione aut responsione tarditatis impenditur; quia talis oboedientia Deo non accepta est.”

Philippians 2:14. RSV–CE

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning.”

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?

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®.

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Luke 6:36-38
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be measured to you.”

Mercy is at the heart of the Christian life. Jesus does not simply ask us to be merciful—He commands it: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Mercy is not about excusing wrongdoing but about reflecting the heart of God, who never withholds His love from us.

It is easy to expect mercy for ourselves but struggle to extend it to others. We hold onto grudges, justify our anger, and demand justice on our terms. But Jesus reminds us that the measure we use for others is the measure that will be used for us. If we desire mercy, we must first be willing to give it.

Abba Poemen once said:

“Do not dwell on the wrongs done to you, and you will find mercy. But if you judge harshly, the same judgment will be upon you.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Poemen 45)

Mercy does not mean ignoring sin but approaching others with the same patience and tenderness with which God approaches us. This requires humility—recognizing that we, too, are in need of mercy every day.

St. Faustina writes:

“He who knows how to forgive prepares for himself many graces from God. As often as I look upon the cross, so often will I forgive with all my heart.” (Diary of St. Faustina, 390)

Pope Francis reminds us of the radical nature of mercy:

“Mercy is that concrete action of love that, by forgiving, transforms and changes our lives. It is the very mystery of our faith. Mercy makes us realize that violence, resentment, and revenge have no meaning, and the first step toward mercy is to acknowledge that we need it ourselves.” (Misericordia et Misera, 2)

The more we reflect on God’s mercy, the more we become merciful ourselves. The key is not merely to try harder but to receive God’s mercy deeply, allowing it to transform our hearts.

Lent is a time to evaluate our hearts—are we quick to judge and slow to forgive? Or do we reflect God’s generous love, offering mercy even when it is difficult? Today, let us ask for the grace to love as God loves, forgiving as He forgives.

1. Do I extend mercy to others as freely as I receive it from God?
2. What grudges or judgments am I holding onto that I need to surrender?
3. How can I be an instrument of God’s mercy in my daily life?
4. When have I experienced the mercy of God, and how has it changed me?

Lord, You are rich in mercy, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Teach me to reflect Your mercy in all my relationships. Help me to forgive, to let go of judgment, and to love as You love. May my heart be open to Your grace, that I may be merciful as You are merciful. Amen.

This reflection is written by Kris McGregor of Discerning Hearts®. The Scripture passage is taken from the Jerusalem Bible (1966 edition), used with permission. No unauthorized use or reproduction is permitted without prior written consent.

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask——In what areas of my life do I have the most trouble with pride?

Seek—Pray the Litany of Humility. What parts of the litany do you find it most difficult to say? Take concrete steps to defer to others throughout the day, to die to yourself in little things. For the Litany of Humility, visit here

Knock—

Meditate on Philippians 2:5–11 and pray that God will give you the mind of Christ.

In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Try to imagine what it was like for Jesus to take upon himself our humanity, with all its limitations. What must it have been like for him to suffer the humiliations of the cross? Now think about your own situation. Are you more like Christ, or our first parents, seeking to “be like God”?

Transform Your Life—Jesus tells his disciples that those who humble themselves will be exalted! Humility is the surest path to real success in the kingdom of God. Pray for humility throughout every day.

For the Litany of Humility, visit here

The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.

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 Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

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 said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

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 said to his disciples: ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

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

Steps to Take as You Follow Christ

Ask—Whom do I treat as an outsider in God’s kingdom?

Seek—As you go about your daily activities, think about how often you see someone else as “one of them” rather than “one of us.” Of course, people are all unique and different. However, the gospel calls us to break down artificial barriers that prevent us from expressing the unity God desires.

Knock—Meditate on 1 Peter 2:21–24 while holding a crucifix in your hands.

This, in fact, is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow the way he took. He had not done anything wrong, and there had been no perjury in his mouth. He was insulted and did not retaliate with insults; when he was tortured he made no threats but he put his trust in the righteous judge. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross, so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like sheep but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Think of the example of Jesus on the cross. How might you concretely imitate and model your life on Jesus?

Transform Your Life—Make discernment rather than judgment the goal of your life’s decisions. Ask yourself, “What does God want me to do at this moment?” and, “What is God trying to teach me through this?” Strive to be open to his guiding presence. Learn from all whom you meet this day and every day.

The author of The Power of the Cross: Applying the Passion of Christ in Your Life, Michael Dubriuel, passed away in 2009. His wife, author Amy Welborn, has made his book available as a free e-book! We HIGHLY encourage you to download this exceptional work.

The Power of the Cross is now available as a free e-book,
check out more information by going here

Check out more at the Discerning Hearts’ Michael Dubruiel page

Excerpt from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, copyright (c) 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd. and Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, Inc. Reprinted by Permission.