Discernment: Step 5 of the Ignatian method of discerning God’s will is to list the advantages and disadvantages of each choice: the single state, marriage, and/or religious life. In other words, what do you think would be the pros and cons, for you, of consecrating your life to the Lord, of entering marriage (becoming a spouse/a mother) and finally of serving God as a single person? Weigh all sides. Pay close attention to the reasons for each vocation and compare each. You will then be in a position of knowing which vocation is best for you. Before making a final decision, be sure you are not being carried away by passion or natural inclinations. Discuss your findings with a qualified spiritual director, someone who has training in the art of spiritual direction, someone who will lean neither to one or the other state in life for you , does not tell you what to do or not to do, what choice to make or not make, but is totally open to what God is asking of you and, with you, is seeking God’s will.
Source: Discernment of Spirits by Warren Sazama, SJ, National Religious Vocation Conference, Chicago, IL 60615.
No comments:
Post a Comment