How Can I Know God's Will? #discernment

Summary

In this video, Father March from the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal discusses discerning God's will in life. He emphasizes the importance of responding to personal inspirations from prayer, obeying rightful authority, and acknowledging reality. He shares insights on how to navigate uncertainties when inspirations don't materialize, suggesting that God guides us through closed doors and that obedience to God's voice, authority, and reality can help confirm His will. The video offers a Catholic perspective on trusting in God's plan, even when it's not clear or leads to disappointments.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Knowing God's will involves a combination of personal inspiration, communal discernment, and obedience to authority and reality.
• 🙏 Personal inspiration can be strong, but it is not the sole determinant of God's will; it must align with communal discernment and authority.
• 🤔 Discernment is a process that includes prayer, communal input, and the consideration of one's feelings and callings.
• 🏛️ Obedience to rightful authority is crucial; this includes the Church's confirmation for certain vocations like priesthood or religious life.
• 🚪 Reality plays a significant role in discernment; if a calling does not materialize (e.g., not getting a job or not being accepted into a religious order), it is essential to trust that God is guiding the process.
• 🔗 There is a three-fold obedience involved in discerning God's will: obedience to personal inspiration, obedience to authority, and obedience to reality.
• 🤝 The communal dimension is vital; one's calling often involves others, such as a spouse in marriage or a religious order confirming a vocation.
• 💔 It's possible to feel a deep calling that does not come to fruition, leading to confusion and a need for trust in God's plan.
• 🌟 Mother Teresa's example illustrates the importance of responding to inspiration and waiting for confirmation from rightful authority.
• 🌈 The process of discernment can be frustrating and unclear, but it is a part of the journey of trust and surrender to God's will.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the discussion in the transcript?

The main topic of the discussion is discerning and understanding God's will in one's life, particularly in the context of Catholicism and the process of obedience to God's calling.

Why might someone feel called to a particular path, such as priesthood or marriage, and then find that it doesn't happen?

Someone might feel called to a path because of a profound inspiration or conviction, but it may not happen due to various reasons, including lack of acceptance by the Church or other parties involved, or simply because it was not part of God's plan for them.

What is the role of 'discernment' in the Catholic worldview as discussed in the transcript?

Discernment in the Catholic worldview is a process that involves not just personal feelings but also a communal dimension, obedience to God's personal calling in prayer, obedience to rightful authority, and obedience to reality.

How does the concept of 'obedience' relate to following God's will as described in the transcript?

Obedience to God's will involves responding to the inspiration felt in prayer, respecting rightful authority, and acknowledging the reality of the situation. It is a three-fold obedience that requires trust in God's guidance even when faced with closed doors or rejections.

What does the speaker mean by 'holding things with a slightly loose grip' when following a calling?

The speaker suggests that while one should pursue a calling with conviction, they should also be open to the possibility that the calling might not come to fruition, and thus not be too rigidly attached to the outcome.

How does the Church or a religious order confirm a calling to priesthood or religious life?

The Church or a religious order confirms a calling through a process that involves acceptance into seminary or religious life, and ultimately, through ordination or acceptance into the religious order.

What is the significance of 'closed doors' in the context of discerning God's will?

In the context of discerning God's will, 'closed doors' often represent God's guidance and direction. They are seen as a way in which God leads individuals, sometimes more clearly than through open opportunities.

Why is it important to have a 'trust and surrender' attitude when following God's will?

Having a trust and surrender attitude is important because it acknowledges that God is at work in the details of life, and it allows individuals to be open to God's plan, even when it differs from their own expectations.

What does the speaker suggest about the experience of facing a 'no' or rejection in the pursuit of a calling?

The speaker suggests that facing a 'no' or rejection can be painful, but it is also an opportunity to trust in God's plan and to recognize that there is still richness and fullness in God's will for one's life.

How does the speaker relate the concept of being a 'pilgrim' to the journey of discerning God's will?

The speaker relates being a 'pilgrim' to the journey of discerning God's will by emphasizing the gradual and often challenging nature of the process, where one must take small steps and trust in God's guidance along the way.