Discerning God’s Call
Last weekend, Fr. Mahon challenged us with the question: Are you the person Christ wants you to be? Depending on the season of life we are experiencing, the answer to this question could vary, even to the point of being unclear. To answer this question, we first need to know what Christ wants. I don’t know about you, but I often feel like a living expression of “who has known the mind of the Lord . . .?” (Romans 11:34). I can’t know if I am the person Christ wants me to be without first knowing who Christ desires me to be.
At this point, I cannot help but think about the word discernment. It’s a word that has made its rounds through Catholic history and often comes alongside the word ‘vocation.’ Discernment is the process of prayerfully sifting through information to understand God’s will and to make a decision. Vocation simply refers to God’s call for a person. So often, we can get wrapped up in the idea that vocation only refers to whether a person should get married, enter the priesthood, or enter the religious life. However, vocation also more broadly refers to our individual and personal call to be the person God desires us to be every day. This personal vocation is unique to each of us. For example, one person who works as a nurse might feel a particular call to care for the elderly while another nurse has a call to assist young children. Each is a unique expression of who Jesus desires us to be. Discernment helps us reach an understanding of our call.
We also can learn to understand how God is at work in our every day lives. Recently, I found myself complaining about a situation to a friend. When I paused in my ranting, my friend wisely asked, “How do you think God is working in this situation?” At the time, I did not have an answer. I had to take the question with me into discernment to begin trying to understand how God was trying to speak to me. Discernment is not only understanding the answers to the big questions in life, but also understanding the subtle and quiet movements of God at work in our lives.
Where does this discussion lead us? If you’re fascinated at all about discernment or if you have questions about who Christ wants you to be, you have an opportunity to enter into the discernment journey this Lent. I challenge you to consider learning about how to discern, to take the time for yourself to hear God’s voice at work in your life and see where you end up.
God is calling. Do you hear his voice?
Lenten Discernment Series
“My sheep hear my voice," says the Lord. “I know them and they follow me.” (John 10:27).
It is so common to feel overwhelmed with the many decisions we face us each day. We want to hear God’s voice and follow, but we wonder how. There are often so many competing “voices” and God’s path can seem obscure. But God knows us - our desire to follow and also our confusion, and best of all, God loves us as we are.
St. Ignatius of Loyola outlined several keys to discernment in his Spiritual Exercises. They build upon our desire to know, love, and serve God more completely and in ways that help us use the gifts God has given us. Kate Piderman, PhD, spiritual director, researcher, and retired chaplain, will guide us in a five session series during Lent on understanding and incorporating Ignatian discernment into our lives. Sessions will take place at St. John the Evangelist beginning February 20th in the O’Day Room on Tuesday evenings at 5:15p or on Wednesday mornings at 11:00am. Topics will include: “Be still and know that I am God”; Reflecting on God’s action in our lives: Consolation and Desolation and the Good Spirit and the evil spirit; Making a Godly decision; Reflecting on what we have chosen. There will be a short presentation each week and time for discussion. Opportunity for individual consolation with Kate will be available. Please contact Michelle Schmid or visit the parish center if you are interested. A commitment to the series of five is recommended.