Discerning God's Call
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The readings today are about God’s call. Young Samuel is called by God to become a great prophet and guide Israel from a collection of tribes to a kingdom. He becomes an adviser to King Saul and anoints David as the future king. Two disciples of John the Baptist begin to follow Jesus. One is Andrew, and the other, though unnamed, is most likely John the evangelist. Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus. This was the beginning of their call to be disciples and apostles, to be the pillars of the worldwide Kingdom of God.
You might think that God only calls a few, special people. But in the Book of Acts, the apostles interpret the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost as a fulfillment of a prophecy in Joel that the ability to hear God would become common. God is speaking, but most of His people are not listening, or they don’t know how to listen.
The homily mentions that our Catholic tradition has many resources to help us listen to God and to discern the voice of God from other voices. One of the most influential guides is St. Ignatius of Loyola. An overview of his rules of discernment can be found here. St. Ignatius paid a lot of attention to what we might call “spiritual emotions,” which he puts into two main categories, consolation and desolation. He offers advice on how these spiritual emotions can reveal whether the Spirit of God, or the spirit of the enemy is exerting influence on us. He also discusses what to do in times of desolation and consolation so as not to lose hope or become inflated with pride. Read more about Discernment of Spirits here.
The homily reviewed Fr. Mike Scanlon’s book What Does God Want? in which he provides a five-part test to apply to an inspiration that you believe may be from God.
The Five C’s
conformity to God’s revealed will
contribution to ongoing conversion
consistent with the way God has led you in the past
how or whether it is confirmed
degree of conviction in your heart
Does it Conform to God’s Will?
What are the relevant commandments of God and teachings of the Church?
What existing commitments and “calls” that bear on the decision?
Does it Encourage Conversion?
Will the proposed decision lead to growth in holiness?
Does the proposal involve an unnecessary occasion of sin?
Is it Consistent with How God Has Spoken to You Before?
Who? Does the Lord typically act through other people in your life—a spiritual director, close friends or family members, a cherished spiritual writer or speaker?
What? Is your life with God following a pattern of a certain kind of work? Have you been acquiring skills and experience that point in a particular direction?
Where? Do you hear God in certain places—in church, on long walks, by the ocean, in your study?
When? Do you feel guidance from God on an annual retreat, in silent prayer after communion, during Lent, or other times?
How? Do you “hear” the Lord in personal prayer or through the words of others, “see” His word in scripture or in spiritual reading?
What Confirms It?
Is it confirmed by those who are involved in the proposal?
Is it confirmed by people who know me and are in a position to give godly direction to me?
Is it confirmed by circumstances?
Is it confirmed by the fruits of the Spirit? by signs?
Conviction: Does Heart Say “Yes”?
Do I “know” inside this is the right way?
Consider conviction about past decisions. Does the heart feel the same way now as it did when you made decisions that you believe were right? If not, what is the quality of the difference?
Ask in prayer, “Lord, is it your will that I do this?” “Lord, is it your will that I not do this?