An Introduction to Discernment

Faith and Light International Formation Project Team

2012

Faith and Light International Formation Project Team

2012

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Along with deepening our personal relationship with God through prayer, discernment is a means by which we may live more closely according to the Spirit of Jesus

Along with deepening our personal relationship with God through prayer, discernment is a means by which we may live more closely according to the Spirit of Jesus

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What is discernment?What is discernment? To choose and to make decisions that

are more in harmony with God’s loving desires God has desires and preferences that are

not always obvious to us God is not indifferent, uncaring or apathetic God, as revealed in Jesus, has strong, passionate

desires for all that is truly good We do not have God’s all-encompassing perspective We do not always want exactly what God wants

To choose and to make decisions that are more in harmony with God’s loving desires God has desires and preferences that are

not always obvious to us God is not indifferent, uncaring or apathetic God, as revealed in Jesus, has strong, passionate

desires for all that is truly good We do not have God’s all-encompassing perspective We do not always want exactly what God wants

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A graceful ability to recognize which impulses, movements, ideas or inspirations come from God and which come from some other source in order to choose well

Which choice will help me to become freer, more fully alive, more loving, more truly human – like Jesus

Which choice will give more life to others, build up, unite, heal

A graceful ability to recognize which impulses, movements, ideas or inspirations come from God and which come from some other source in order to choose well

Which choice will help me to become freer, more fully alive, more loving, more truly human – like Jesus

Which choice will give more life to others, build up, unite, heal

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What am I choosing

- and why?

What am I choosing

- and why?

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God does not want, will, desire, prefer everything that happens

What is evil, destructive, rooted in selfishness or lies or fear, what is oppressive, demeaning, enslaving or whatever promotes division is not of God

We have the freedom and the possibility to choose against God’s desires and preferences and everyone suffers the consequences of these choices

God does not want, will, desire, prefer everything that happens

What is evil, destructive, rooted in selfishness or lies or fear, what is oppressive, demeaning, enslaving or whatever promotes division is not of God

We have the freedom and the possibility to choose against God’s desires and preferences and everyone suffers the consequences of these choices

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CautionCaution Evil is always to be rejected - even when this is

difficult or not very evident How? This is done through observation, a well-

formed conscience and good judgment Clearly we seek to discover if a choice that seems

possible is something that really leads to good or something that leads to evil

It is necessary to pay close attention because evil, at times, disguises itself as something good

“By their fruits you shall know…”

Evil is always to be rejected - even when this is difficult or not very evident

How? This is done through observation, a well-formed conscience and good judgment

Clearly we seek to discover if a choice that seems possible is something that really leads to good or something that leads to evil

It is necessary to pay close attention because evil, at times, disguises itself as something good

“By their fruits you shall know…”

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Discernment is always between two real, possible goods

Not seeking the “best,” “perfect” or “ideal” choice

Not multiple choice Which of these two choices is better

Discernment is always between two real, possible goods

Not seeking the “best,” “perfect” or “ideal” choice

Not multiple choice Which of these two choices is better

Actual, concrete choices - here and nowActual, concrete choices - here and now

This time, this place, these people and these specific circumstances

Accepting our limitations Coherent with one’s vocational

commitments Not theoretical or hypothetical (what if…)

This time, this place, these people and these specific circumstances

Accepting our limitations Coherent with one’s vocational

commitments Not theoretical or hypothetical (what if…)

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Discernment can be done by Individuals or by Groups

Group discernment depends upon each person’s individual discernment

We try to discover together God’s way for US

Discernment can be done by Individuals or by Groups

Group discernment depends upon each person’s individual discernment

We try to discover together God’s way for US

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Discernment and PrayerDiscernment and Prayer

Discernment flows out of a personal relationship with God nurtured through prayer We need help to better know what God

wants of us In our personal relationships, over time, we

come to better know the other Their desires, preferences, hopes, dreams What delights them, saddens or disturbs them

Discernment flows out of a personal relationship with God nurtured through prayer We need help to better know what God

wants of us In our personal relationships, over time, we

come to better know the other Their desires, preferences, hopes, dreams What delights them, saddens or disturbs them

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Prayer as conversationPrayer as conversation

The cycle of conversation

Contact - When I am aware of God being lovingly aware of me

Agreement - What is most “real” for me at this time

Process - What is the next step we need to take together

Closure/Opening - I am sorry, Thank you, Amen

The cycle of conversation

Contact - When I am aware of God being lovingly aware of me

Agreement - What is most “real” for me at this time

Process - What is the next step we need to take together

Closure/Opening - I am sorry, Thank you, Amen

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Discernment and Decision MakingDiscernment and Decision Making

We make many, many choices and decisions every day

Only our most important decisions require discernment

What is the way of love going forward?

We make many, many choices and decisions every day

Only our most important decisions require discernment

What is the way of love going forward?

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The choices and decisions are ours

We are not asking or expecting God to approve our choices

We are trying to choose more closely in harmony with God’s Spirit

The choices and decisions are ours

We are not asking or expecting God to approve our choices

We are trying to choose more closely in harmony with God’s Spirit

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Since Faith and Light is Christian community, discernment is our way of making better choices and taking better decisions individually and together

Since Faith and Light is Christian community, discernment is our way of making better choices and taking better decisions individually and together

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Discernment as a Way of LifeDiscernment as a Way of Life

Over time, through regular practice and guidance, discernment becomes the way that we approach all the important decisions in our life because our desire to be closer to God and to work more in harmony with God’s Spirit grows and deepens

Over time, through regular practice and guidance, discernment becomes the way that we approach all the important decisions in our life because our desire to be closer to God and to work more in harmony with God’s Spirit grows and deepens

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Discernment is the way we in Faith and Light have to help us to better choose our leaders

Discernment is the way we in Faith and Light have to help us to better choose our leaders

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General Gifts / Specific Gifts General Gifts / Specific Gifts

All leaders in Faith and Light need to have certain general gifts

Love for all members, prayer, generosity, ability to work as a member of a team…

Each role also requires some specific gifts, qualities and experience

All leaders in Faith and Light need to have certain general gifts

Love for all members, prayer, generosity, ability to work as a member of a team…

Each role also requires some specific gifts, qualities and experience

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Matching Gifts to RolesMatching Gifts to Roles

This is another application of discernment based on the image of the Body developed by St. Paul

Everyone has a particular gift needed for the good of all

There are different gifts for different roles of service

If my gift is not a better fit for this particular role, there is some other valuable service for me to do for the Body

No one has all the gifts needed

This is another application of discernment based on the image of the Body developed by St. Paul

Everyone has a particular gift needed for the good of all

There are different gifts for different roles of service

If my gift is not a better fit for this particular role, there is some other valuable service for me to do for the Body

No one has all the gifts needed

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Discernment, in this case, involves a combination of: A concrete situation of service, A specific gift that corresponds to this need

Not everyone has this specific gift Availability (can “exchange” with or “let go”

of some other tasks) Will not compromise one’s major responsibilities

A sense of call (feels right, inner peace, this “fits”)

Detachment (inner freedom) I am free for whatever God prefers

Discernment, in this case, involves a combination of: A concrete situation of service, A specific gift that corresponds to this need

Not everyone has this specific gift Availability (can “exchange” with or “let go”

of some other tasks) Will not compromise one’s major responsibilities

A sense of call (feels right, inner peace, this “fits”)

Detachment (inner freedom) I am free for whatever God prefers

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The well being of the Body (community, province, FLI) depends upon each member’s gift being fully functional and engaged in service

Because a person can do something does not mean that they have a gift for this

We work better and we feel better when people are using their core gifts for the good of all

We discern who, of all the good people nominated, has demonstrated the gifts needed for this role of service.

The well being of the Body (community, province, FLI) depends upon each member’s gift being fully functional and engaged in service

Because a person can do something does not mean that they have a gift for this

We work better and we feel better when people are using their core gifts for the good of all

We discern who, of all the good people nominated, has demonstrated the gifts needed for this role of service.