Prologue to the Rule (paragraph 4)

What gentler encouragement could we have, my dear brothers and sisters, than that word from the Lord calling us to himself in such a way! We can see with what loving concern the Lord point out to us the path of life. (From para. 4 of the Prologue to Saint Benedict's Rule, trans. by Patrick Barry, OSB, 1997.)

Jesus calls out to me in friendship.  This friendship, this relationship, with the God who loves me first, and longs for my faithfulness to him, is, it seems to me, the ultimate source of transformation.