The process of discernment is something all of us eventually become familiar with as we progress along the passageways of life. Everyone of us is destined to spend considerable mental effort trying to find our place in this world, as we seek the elusive feeling of fulfillment and the deeper meaning of our existence, while trying to maintain a peaceful heart.
Discernment is not just about deciding what to do in life, but should center more on the “who” of life, the total person. True Christian discernment means calling upon the Lord to help us in making decisions and choosing the proper path in life. While it sounds simple, this basic process can be difficult as many of us wander through decades of living without the benefit of addressing what we truly want from this life.
Prayer is a wonderful tool one can use to assess God’s call in their life. While the benefits of prayer to the practicing Catholic are many, it remains an invaluable tool in determining basic questions such as “Who does God want me to be?” and “What do I want to do with my life?” Discernment requires a heart ready to listen and respond in prayer and reflection, as well as a state of mind which prepares one to learn about options and carefully select those choices which will bring greater joy to God, self, and the world.
God has given everyone a unique invitation or vocation in life to discern and our response is not a single act, but a life-long process, a journey of faith. We do not “have” a vocation; we discover how we “are” our vocation as we progress through this life. All vocations to God’s service have the following in common:
• The activities and work of life
• The values and attitudes one holds in one’s heart
• The choice to love that one makes
An individual discovers his/her vocation at various stages of life and in relationship with others:
• When a person is loved and appreciated by others
• When the person is attracted by the example of others
• When the person becomes aware of the needs of others
• When the person prays and mediates on the word of God
The Church has long taught us that vocations are everyone’s responsibility. As baptized Christians each of us is called to assist others to discover their vocation as we have been assisted on our faith journeys. Each of us is called to help make others aware of their personal richness, talents and human value, opening their eyes to the variety of lifestyles and then ministries within the Church.
Finally, a list of questions to guide you along the path:
Who is God and what place does God have in my life?
What lifestyle and word best facilitate my vocation?
What concrete circumstances in life should I choose to promote God’s love for me?
To what extent does my current lifestyle reflect an awareness of vocation?
John Mark Willcox
Director of Vocations
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