Benedict begins by calling our attention to 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminding us that God loves a cheerful giver. And by so doing he invites us to recognize that we must grow to deeply want to serve.
You must give yourself to it wholeheartedly. You must enter into it with Hope and surety. You must not kick and kick against the goad. (A goad is a pointed stick to prod animals.)
This, Benedict says, is not obedience. This is only compliance, and compliance kills, both us, and the community, whose heart is fractured by those who hold theirs back. Real obedience depends on wanting to listen to the voice of God in the human community, not wanting to be forced to do what we refuse to grow from.
We must want to grow – grow in our love for Him and
our love for others – all others.
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