The process of discerning God's gracious will in our lives begins with an attentive reflection upon our experience of prayer, relationships, and activity, especially decision making and actions for justice. In all of that experience, God is speaking to us and revealing to us who God is and how God is acting in our midst. Reflection upon experience is different from “thinking about it” or “processing it.”
The difference flows from the faith attention which guides the reflection. Faith leads us to look at our unfolding experience from the perspective of God's presence and action in all of creation and in all of us.*
Discernment is “listening” for the most loving choice-through the practice of silence, prayer, conversation with others, openness, and noticing the movement toward peace.
Are You Called?
Here are some questions to consider if you are discerning a vocation:
Has your desire to become a religious been constant?
How do your experiences of prayer, relationships and activity help your desire become clear?
How do your prayer, your feelings, and your relationships with others confirm and affirm your desire and move you toward peace?
