Encounter

ENCOUNTER • JUNE 2021 • PAGE 14 ‘How can I know God’s will? ’ . . . Commentary by Fr. Paul Sullivan SUNMUL A 7625 No www.p F b f rth High Street Columbus cj.edu | Email: in o@pcj Y k I t Li k dI T , Ohio .edu b ace oo ns agram n e n ou u e W hat’s it like to be called? The ordination of new priests and new transitional deacons is clear proof of God’s activity in our community and in the hearts of young people open to hearing and following His will for them. God is always at work inspiring, inviting and encouraging. Seeing such events in the life of our Church often prompts the question, especially from young people, “How can I know God’s will?” This is a very important question that all of us should be able to ask. Throughout life we will make decisions that affect our lives and the lives of those around us. As well, our decisions influence eternity for us and for others around us. Imagine if Peter had not left his nets, if Mary Magdalene had not accepted the merciful healing Love of Jesus, if Mother Teresa had not left the work of teaching that occupied her at one point in her life, if the future John Paul II simply worked as an actor or if any one of their parents had not accepted them as gifts from God… how different our world would be! As you can see, discerning God’s will is important. Let’s return to the question: “How can I know God’s will?” I would like to share three ways according to the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola for those with an active prayer and sacramental life that allows for such interior awareness. The first way is when we are completely drawn to a particular path in life by way of inspirations and clarity of mind about it being the right fit. It is the moment when we say “I just know!” or “It just seems so right…I have no doubts.” If God wills it, He can communicate His will this way, even though that is not the case all the time. The second is a bit more complex and takes more time. This involves being attentive in prayer and the various movements within us. These are consolations (spiritual joy, love, hope, etc.) and desolations (sadness, lack of love, spiritual dryness). St. Ignatius recommends that we can attentively observe what comes with the consolations since it is proper to God “to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations and quiet, easing and taking away all obstacles, so that the person may go forward in doing good.” Noticing what comes with more of these consolations will be helpful to determine what is of God. The third way would be the old-fashioned pros and cons list. God gave us reason and intellect so that we can look clearly at our decisions and make decisions on what is best. This is best undertaken in times of tranquility when we are not rushed for any reason. These pros and cons can be laid before the Lord in prayer and can allow us to see His will with the aid of our reason. While discernment requires patience and steadiness in prayer, we can be sure that engaging in discernment will draw us closer to God who is the only true source of our joy and peace. Join me in thanking God for these young men who began by asking, “How can I know God’s will?” Diocesan or religious priesthood? By Joyce Coronel Not all men called to the priesthood are ordained as diocesan priests serving in a particular geographical area. Some are called to religious life. Freshly minted Dcn. John of the Cross Constantino, FHS, is one of them. He made his final profession of promises May 15 at St. Francis of Assisi on the Ak Chin Indian Reservation and was ordained to the transitional diaconate May 16 at St. John the Baptist on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Fr. Peter Teresa McConnell, novice master of the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit, spoke to the difference between the diocesan and religious priesthood. “It’s a different vocation completely,” Fr. McConnell said. “A diocesan priest is discerning to serve the people of God through the sacraments, so we think of Mass, baptism, weddings.” The call to religious life is distinct, he said, in that an individual feels called to live in closer imitation of Christ who is poor, chaste, and obedient Fr. Paul Sullivan — Continued on facing page