HR 15 – The Remedy For Fear Is Love – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict with Fr. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

The Remedy For Fear Is Love – 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, Fr. Mauritius Wilde, OSB, and Kris McGregor reflect on fear, love, and the spiritual journey toward trust in God. Drawing from Chapter 6 of the Rule on humility, St. Benedict teaches that the goal of the Christian life is to arrive at that "perfect love of God which casts out fear." Fr. Mauritius explains that fear is a natural part of being human and even plays an important role in our relationship with God. Yet the monastic path seeks to transform fear through love, allowing the soul to move from anxiety, dread, and self-protection toward confidence, reverence, and trust. Throughout the conversation, Fr. Mauritius explores how fear often arises from past wounds, vulnerability, and uncertainty about the future. Rather than denying fear or being ashamed of it, St. Benedict encourages us to acknowledge it honestly and bring it before God. Through prayer, humility, loving relationships, and perseverance, fear gradually loses its power. Sharing personal experiences from his own life, Fr. Mauritius reveals that spiritual maturity is not the absence of fear but the growth of a love so rooted in God that it can face fear with courage, hope, and trust. From the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Chapter 6: CHAPTER VI “…Having, therefore, ascended all these degrees of humility, the monk will presently arrive at that love of God, which being perfect, casteth out fear (1 Jn 4:18). In virtue of this love all things which at first he observed not without fear, he will now begin to keep without any effort, and as it were, naturally by force of habit, no longer from the fear of hell, but from the love of Christ, from the very habit of good and the pleasure in virtue. May the Lord be pleased to manifest all this by His Holy Spirit in His laborer now cleansed from vice and sin.” Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

1. What fears most often influence my thoughts, decisions, or relationships?
2. St. Benedict teaches that perfect love casts out fear. Where do I see God inviting me to grow in trust rather than anxiety?
3. Are there past wounds or experiences that continue to shape my fears today?
4. How do I typically respond when fear arises: with avoidance, control, prayer, or openness?
5. What would it look like to bring my fears honestly before God rather than trying to manage them alone?
6. How has God's love carried me through moments when fear seemed overwhelming?
7. In what ways might God be inviting me to become a source of courage, peace, and reassurance for others?

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Fr. Mauritius Wilde's Discerning Hearts page Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological, and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and regularly directs retreats. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.