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.