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Discernment

 The process of discernment, which is more than decision-making, can only develop within a climate of spiritual "letting go", traditionally referred to as "holy indifference". We learn this through prayer and discipline in which we try to set aside our prejudices, preferences and dislikes, in order to open our eyes and ears to see and listen to what the Lord desires.

 

The process of discernment comprises many elements:

  • personal prayer and reflection
  • talking things over with trusted friends
  • imagining future scenarios
  • compiling information
  • evaluating the pros and cons 

However, these are only means to an end. The ultimate reference point, always, is putting the results of our efforts in the hands of God, trying to know what God dreams for us. And God's dream is not necessarily different to our own deepest dream which may not be immediately apparent to us. It means taking time to know God's way of seeing things - who can ever know the mind of God?? - which we get but a glimpse of in Jesus and the Gospel: the Beatitudes, his teaching through parables and miracle stories, his attitudes of love, forgiveness, compassion, concern for the poor, true freedom...

 

Every person determined to set out on such a search knows that discernment requires the discipline of conversion (Rom 12:2). Conversion is a word that risks becoming like nice or interesting. In a Christian context it can be used too often. So what does it mean? The process of conversion means:

  • being open to a new way of thinking in order to determine what is best (Phil 1:10)
  • being a contemplative in action
  • having an open attitude in order to re-evaluation decisions in the light of new information,
  • having a "purity of intention" or being single-minded,
  • distancing oneself from one's own interests so as to avoid self-deception,
  • being attentive to the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22f; Mt 7:16)
  • and living a life of service and self-giving (1 Jn 4:12).

Marist discernment also has its own characteristics, drawing on the spirituality of our founder, Marcellin Champagnat.

 

First, he would tell his first disciples never to make a decision without first allowing it to mature over a time in prayer. He would urge them to entrust everything to Mary, the attentive and good mother, just as he had entrusted her with the Institute suggesting it was her work and not ours. As well, he consulted wisely, sought the wisdom of those in authority and took note of the signs of the times.

 

Second, Marist discernment is marked by simplicity. We approach the Lord and others in a direct and transparent manner, not allowing differences of culture, language or world-view to hinder our unity or working things out together.

 

Thirdly, the process of discernment in the footsteps of Marcellin means having a Vatican II understanding of obedience, where the community of faith mediates God's dream for us. The result is that we are not afraid to take action when it is called for. If the discernment is authentic we sense a spirit of freedom and liberation and move forward, confident that our decision comes from God. That, in turn, gives us confidence to move forward with courage, daring and hope.

 

The FM Connection has a role to play in this discernment of the Marist Vocation which has two expressions. That of the Marist Brother is well established, even if the 21st century expression of Marist Brotherhood is very different to what was so familiar to an older generation of people. More recently, men and women - often associated with the Marist Brothers - are discovering Champagnat's appeal and their own Marist vocation as lay people, that at present we somewhat awkwardly refer to as Lay Marists. Each of these vocations follow steps that have elements in common as well as different.