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.
God illumines a light into the world through the Annunication. Mary’s yes comes in a place of freedom, hope, and not clinging. Ignatius gives us several exercises for making decisions with this kind of freedom.
Incarnation occurs all the time, even in our decisions. We are in a whirl of confusion and feel like we’re in darkness. Advent is a time of sitting with those raw feelings and emotions because discernment begins with observation.
This is an Ignatian retreat, based on the Spiritual Exercises, that can be made in just a few days – even online.
Dream what God has in store for you. The Exercises call us to engage our imagination as we step into a deeper relationship with God.
Why do we treat important decisions like products, as if we’re “buying” an “add-on” for our life? True Christian discernment ought to be about “selling” and casting off false masks.
Being a Disciple is the first stage in the Christian life, but Christ is calling us to a deeper role: being an Apostle, one who is sent.
Christ is calling you to change the world, and you have a specific role. How would you respond?
So often we are awakened to a dialogue with God in the midst of discomfort, when we feel de-centered and off balance.