Discernment

With Pentecost fast approaching, it is good to think about the grace and gift of discernment. Probably no gift is so misunderstood than this one.

For starters, discernment does not involve an "intelligent decision" or a "commonsense approach". That falls under prudence and counsel. Discernment is the inner workings of the spirit within one's own heart. An advisor or spiritual director can assist one in this task, but they cannnot discern for the individual. Only the individual can discern for herself.

How does one learn discernment? Mostly, through trial and error. Discernment requires an ear attentive to the whisperings and nudges of the Holy Spirit. Waiting to "get it right" results in never learning at all. Discernment is part of a relationship, getting to know God better, to learn better the difference between his inspirations and our own wonderings.

If you depend on another to lead you on your journey, then you are by that very fact, quite lost. Discernment teaches us the importance of silence, to hear God; awareness of the presence of God, so that we "see" him; humility, to accept when we've mistaken that inspiration; and perserverance, so that we never give up on the process. Learning discernment is like becoming an athelete--it requires time, practice, patience and application. Just as you can never become a good ball player if you never play the game, so too you can never learn discernment until you begin to act. Unlike sports, discernment requires a great deal of courage and confidence; courage to go forward, confidence that God will lead, dispite our flawed attempts.

Do not give your spirit away to another. God has a plan for you, and you alone. No one can discern this plan for you, for no one can enter into your heart and find God for you. You must do that on your own. Once you practice, and become good at it, discernment will lead you into secrets only you and God will share. And when that happens, you will know the truth of St. Catherine's words: All the way to heaven is heaven.