Discernment - What is the deal?

[quiet52]

Ok,
And then isn’t the process of discernment really the process of overcoming doubt and fear, and for those who ‘discern’ that they are not called, they in end have not overcome their doubts and fears ?

The process of discernment does not just apply to determining whether we’re being called by God to a particular vocation. But to be responsible we should pray for wisdom before making important life-decisions about anything, and be prudent in our judgments.
Discernment should not be emotion-based. Recognizing our emotions as a tool in making a decision can be an important step. But we need to be as realistic as possible about what gifts God has given us, and what limitations.

A person who, through prayer and prudent judgment, discerns he or she is not called to a particular station in life should not be considered as failing to “overcome their doubts and fears.”

 

[quiet52]

Also, consider this: almost every single saint that I know was celibate. This is not to say that married couples cannot become saints. However, it is telling that almost all that have been recognized as saints by the Church were celibate. Actually, the only saint I can think of right now who may not have been celibate is Peter, who I understand had a wife.

Some married saints:
Sts. Peter, Monica (mother of St. Augustine), Thomas More, Perpetua and Felicity, Zachariah and Elizabeth, Frances of Rome, Margaret of Scotland, Isidore and Maria, Elizabeth of Hungary, Stephen of Hungary, St. Edward the Confessor, Elizabeth of Portugual, Bridget of Sweden, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi (beatified by Pope John Paul II).

findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_8_38/ai_82066335
catholicfreeshipping.com/Products/cfs_marsainandbl.html
albahouse.org/Married.htm

 

[CSN]

The process of discernment does not just apply to determining whether we’re being called by God to a particular vocation. But to be responsible we should pray for wisdom before making important life-decisions about anything, and be prudent in our judgments.
Discernment should not be emotion-based. Recognizing our emotions as a tool in making a decision can be an important step. But we need to be as realistic as possible about what gifts God has given us, and what limitations.

A person who, through prayer and prudent judgment, discerns he or she is not called to a particular station in life should not be considered as failing to “overcome their doubts and fears.”

Interesting…I just told a friend two days ago about wisdom. How God offered King Solomon anything and he asked for wisdom, and God said ‘because you did not ask for things for yourself, I will give you more anyway…’

Hmm, the process of discernment starts with prayer, I heard…

Interesting.

 

[jmj603]

This doesn’t mean that everyone is called to be celibate, though - The world would end! (Had to add that, of course )

The world is going to end anyway. This is a good thing!

Perhaps the world would end sooner if everyone responded to the universal call to celibacy? :heaven:

:bible1: According to Scripture, the only people who are NOT called to celibacy for the sake of the kingdom are:

a) Eunuchs born that way
b) Eunuchs made so by men
c) Married people

Married couples ARE called to perpetual continence for the sake of the Kingdom, provided that both spouses consent. If one spouse desires intercourse, the other must oblige, but if both agree, they may choose to “live apart” for the sake of the Kingdom. Though it requires special approval, the Latin Church has always ordained married men and admitted married women to convents under these conditions. :nun1:

Those who choose to marry may not have had sufficient grace to respond to the universal call to celibacy. They choose instead to respond to the universal call to marriage. This is not always a sin, although the rich young man did go away “sad”. :tissues:

 

[Al_Masetti]

In my experience, an excellent book … the best one I have found … is “Weeds Among the Wheat” by Fr. Thomas Green.

 

[CSN]

In my experience, an excellent book … the best one I have found … is “Weeds Among the Wheat” by Fr. Thomas Green.

Ok, I’ll try and take a look. Thanks.

 

[mjdvike]

I understand that discernment is considered the process where one is supposed to ascertain whether or not they are ‘cut out’ to become clergy, but in my view, isn’t every single person called in this way?

I feel that discernment is the process of removing the doubts and excuses in one’s life, and if in the alternative one happens to ‘discern’ that they are not so cut out, in reality they have failed to be the best they can be.

Again, to me discernment is a process of firming one’s convictions to give it all up - everything - and anyone claiming to discern and ultimately deciding not to become clergy has, regarding the question of “whether I will do my best or my second best for God”, decided to do their second best.

I’m sorry if this sound harsh, but this is what I feel. The concept of discernment has always struck me as a bit hokey. “Gee, does God want me to serve him 100% or 75% ?”

Yeah, sure marriage is a vocation, but there will always be families and always be children, but there are very few real 24/7 gatherers. Also, I feel this is more strongly applicable today, when almost every single priest and nun seems over 60 years old…

First of all, discernment does not only apply to vocations - it applies to any decision that is to be made that should be determined as to whether or not it is the will of God.

God wants everyone to serve Him 100%. Anything less is lukewarm service, and He will spit all of them out.

The priesthood is not the only way of serving fully. ALL ARE CALLED TO SERVE HIM FULLY. If a person is not called to be a priest, he should not be a priest. If a person is not called to be married, she should not be married. If a person is not called to the single life, he should not be single.

Vocational discernment is the process of determining what is the call of the Lord for our own life. What does God want me to be (referring to the vocational state of life - He always wants us to serve Him - no need to discern if He wants us to serve, just in what state does He wants us to serve).

The first thing in the process is to understand THAT. Then you can proceed. Because there is no BEST vocation for all: just the RIGHT vocation for the individual.

PEACE.