People had to discern John the Baptist’s message. Was he the messiah? What were the signs they saw? Discernment includes many signs, consolation and desolation, and movements from the spirits that prepare the way to a choice.
Ignatius was quick to name tears as a sign of consolation, but it’s not the only indicator of spiritual movement.
It’s a simple question that can be a powerful discernment tool.
Re-casting consolation and desolation into a single question.
Ignatius says to relish moments in prayer, but we must also dwell in the God moments we experience outside of formal prayer.
The tension of good and evil; consolation and desolation
God’s incarnation makes sacred our very decisions and even the process of discernment. Every decision we make becomes an incarnation, a little Christmas through which God enters the world.
People had to discern John the Baptist’s message. Was he the messiah? What were the signs they saw? Discernment includes many signs, consolation and desolation, and movements from the spirits that prepare the way to a choice.
I overheard a man say that he knows he is following God when he is suffering. Is this true? Is suffering a measure of our faithfulness to God?