BW41 – Seeking the Face of God – 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 41 – St. Anslem of Canterbury – Proslogion: Seeking the Face of God In this episode of The Rule of St. Benedict for Daily Life, Kris McGregor continues with St. Anselm of Canterbury and turns from faith seeking understanding to the deeper patience of seeking God’s face. Anselm helps us see that the spiritual life is not sustained by insight alone. There are times when truth seems near and luminous, and times when it feels hidden. What matters then is not whether the soul can grasp God, but whether it will remain turned toward Him. This episode explores Anselm’s prayer as the language of holy desire. “Your face, Lord, I seek” is not the cry of someone who has solved the mystery of God, but of someone who knows that seeking is itself part of loving. Anselm teaches that prayer does not fail when understanding is incomplete. It becomes more reverent, more faithful, and more rooted in the continual turning of the heart toward God. In that sense, this episode also opens a deeper understanding of conversion, not as a single event left behind, but as an ongoing turning toward the One who is Love. This teaching fits deeply within the Benedictine way. Stability teaches the soul not to flee when prayer feels hidden. Humility teaches it not to demand mastery. Obedience keeps the heart anchored in what has already been given. Christ remains at the center, for in Him the face of God is made known, even though the mystery is never exhausted. This episode invites listeners to remain before God with patience, reverence, and holy longing, trusting that to seek His face and not turn away is already a form of love. Citations St. Anslem of Canterbury, The Proslogion “I seek your face, Lord.
Your face, Lord, I seek.
Do not turn your face away from me.” Psalm 27:8, RSV–Catholic Edition “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’
My heart says to you,
‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. How do I respond when prayer feels hidden, quiet, or without clear consolation?
2. Am I tempted to abandon seeking when understanding or clarity doesn’t come quickly?
3. Do I think of conversion as something in the past, or as a continual turning of the heart toward God?
4. What helps me remain before the Lord with patience when I can’t yet see clearly?
5. How is Christ inviting me to seek His face today with greater reverence, desire, and fidelity?

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®.