How are Catholics guided by the Holy Spirit?

[Truthstalker]

Where I come from, extreme emphasis is put on the individual’s subjective relationship to God, and the church is there only sort of reluctantly, as sort of in case things go badly wrong and one needs counsel. I watched at a distance as some crashed and burned in the discipleship movement some years ago, in which the emphasis was put on the charismatic leadership to hear from God from the people. It seems to me that in Catholicism there is a “both-and”: a hearing on the corporate level, and a hearing on the individual level, and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the church organically, that is to say, through the readings, homily and especially through the sacraments. John of the Cross, as shown on another thread, warned against individual experiences with God.

This leaves me scratching my head. How does one discern a calling is of the Holy Ghost? People seem to be led to join orders, cook pancakes, sing in the choir, in a way that seems to be suspiciously similar to what some call “being led by the Lord”:
the question then is how does this happen in Catholicism as opposed to Protestant circles, and what are the distinctives? Or is it the same? Do you ask your priest if you are being called to join the KoC? Does he confirm it, or have nothing to do with it? Is it an odd question?

 

[Maranatha]

Where I come from, extreme emphasis is put on the individual’s subjective relationship to God, and the church is there only sort of reluctantly, as sort of in case things go badly wrong and one needs counsel. I watched at a distance as some crashed and burned in the discipleship movement some years ago, in which the emphasis was put on the charismatic leadership to hear from God from the people. It seems to me that in Catholicism there is a “both-and”: a hearing on the corporate level, and a hearing on the individual level, and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the church organically, that is to say, through the readings, homily and especially through the sacraments. John of the Cross, as shown on another thread, warned against individual experiences with God.

This leaves me scratching my head. How does one discern a calling is of the Holy Ghost? People seem to be led to join orders, cook pancakes, sing in the choir, in a way that seems to be suspiciously similar to what some call “being led by the Lord”:
the question then is how does this happen in Catholicism as opposed to Protestant circles, and what are the distinctives? Or is it the same? Do you ask your priest if you are being called to join the KoC? Does he confirm it, or have nothing to do with it? Is it an odd question?

God can not contradict himself. The Holy Spirit can and does guide people individually but He can not guide two people in different directions. Protestants have been guided in almost every direction. Some may have been guided by the Holy Spirit to a greater or lesser degree. Some may have mistaken supposed guidance by the Holy Spirit for their own wants or worse. I think your question really is, how do Catholics know it’s the Holy Spirit guiding them and not their own desires. I think the answer is, inspiration from the Spirit needs to be coupled with a well formed conscious and can not contradict the teaching so of the Church.

 

[Darrel]

Where I come from, extreme emphasis is put on the individual’s subjective relationship to God, and the church is there only sort of reluctantly, as sort of in case things go badly wrong and one needs counsel. I watched at a distance as some crashed and burned in the discipleship movement some years ago, in which the emphasis was put on the charismatic leadership to hear from God from the people. It seems to me that in Catholicism there is a “both-and”: a hearing on the corporate level, and a hearing on the individual level, and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the church organically, that is to say, through the readings, homily and especially through the sacraments. John of the Cross, as shown on another thread, warned against individual experiences with God.

This leaves me scratching my head. How does one discern a calling is of the Holy Ghost? People seem to be led to join orders, cook pancakes, sing in the choir, in a way that seems to be suspiciously similar to what some call “being led by the Lord”:
the question then is how does this happen in Catholicism as opposed to Protestant circles, and what are the distinctives? Or is it the same? Do you ask your priest if you are being called to join the KoC? Does he confirm it, or have nothing to do with it? Is it an odd question?

People are also advised by the Church to go to adoration before the blessed sacrament and pray. Or to pray the Chaplet of divine mercy or the Rosary. I am guided by the Holy Spirit as a Catholic the same way I was as a protestant. The only difference as a Catholic is that I have full access to Gods truth verses a small percentage. Catholics get answers to prayers on a regular basis and are guided by the Holy Spirit in there daily lives. Hope this helps to answer your question.

-D

 

[Stephen_C]

Where I come from, extreme emphasis is put on the individual’s subjective relationship to God, and the church is there only sort of reluctantly, as sort of in case things go badly wrong and one needs counsel. I watched at a distance as some crashed and burned in the discipleship movement some years ago, in which the emphasis was put on the charismatic leadership to hear from God from the people. It seems to me that in Catholicism there is a “both-and”: a hearing on the corporate level, and a hearing on the individual level, and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the church organically, that is to say, through the readings, homily and especially through the sacraments. John of the Cross, as shown on another thread, warned against individual experiences with God.

This leaves me scratching my head. How does one discern a calling is of the Holy Ghost? People seem to be led to join orders, cook pancakes, sing in the choir, in a way that seems to be suspiciously similar to what some call “being led by the Lord”:
the question then is how does this happen in Catholicism as opposed to Protestant circles, and what are the distinctives? Or is it the same? Do you ask your priest if you are being called to join the KoC? Does he confirm it, or have nothing to do with it? Is it an odd question?

One word…Prayer.

Although I don’t think you need to ask your Priest if you are being called to join the KoC…pancakes maybe

 

[Stephen_C]

Another way to put…Pray…then shutup and listen. We all are called to be holy. Some do this better then other’s I know. We pray to ask God to guide us. Not if we should we be this or do that. But what do you want me to do. How can I best serve you. We need to be humble when we pray. We need to trust God that he knows best. And we need to listen. Does this make sence? If we put the trust in God as to guide us. Then we must trust he will do just that.

 

[Walking_Home]

Where I come from, extreme emphasis is put on the individual’s subjective relationship to God, and the church is there only sort of reluctantly, as sort of in case things go badly wrong and one needs counsel. I watched at a distance as some crashed and burned in the discipleship movement some years ago, in which the emphasis was put on the charismatic leadership to hear from God from the people. It seems to me that in Catholicism there is a “both-and”: a hearing on the corporate level, and a hearing on the individual level, and that the Holy Spirit speaks through the church organically, that is to say, through the readings, homily and especially through the sacraments. John of the Cross, as shown on another thread, warned against individual experiences with God.

This leaves me scratching my head. How does one discern a calling is of the Holy Ghost? People seem to be led to join orders, cook pancakes, sing in the choir, in a way that seems to be suspiciously similar to what some call “being led by the Lord”:
the question then is how does this happen in Catholicism as opposed to Protestant circles, and what are the distinctives? Or is it the same? Do you ask your priest if you are being called to join the KoC? Does he confirm it, or have nothing to do with it? Is it an odd question?

---

If that calling is leading a person away from the Church. To disbelieve in who the Church is and in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within Her thru out Her life----then this calling is not from the Holy Spirit-- but from the Deceiver of man.

 

[Liberian]

Truthstalker,

Certainly Catholics are “led by the Lord” in the same way that Protestants are.

The first rule in discerning whether it is the Holy Spirit guiding you is to check whether the guidance is in accordance with the teachings and rules of the Catholic Church. For example, any woman who claims that the Lord is calling her to the priesthood is guaranteed to be wrong. Protestants do not have this check, with the effects that you have noted.

The second check is to ask wise people who know you and who know the situation. This is where the calling stops being an individual calling as John of the Cross warned about.

• Liberian

 

[Pax]

I agree…all Christians are led by the Holy Spirit. Discernment is something that my evangelical friends speak of when trying to determine if the Holy Spirit is calling them to do something. IMHO it is in the process of discernment that we may differ.

Catholics use the environment of the Catholic faith as the guide post and road map for discernment along with prayer. Everything that we do “within the guidelines of the faith” are of God because they come from scripture and the Church that Jesus gave us.

Catholics believe that leading a Spirit filled and Christ-centered life are the foundation upon which all discernment will flow. Non-Catholics would largely agree with this. Catholics are blessed with the pure offering of Jesus at mass and the reception of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist. If a Catholic is receiving the Eucharist worthily than that person is truly Spirit led.

Discernment involves many things. My most basic test for whether something is from the Holy Spirit is whether or not it leads me closer to Jesus. This growing closer to Jesus is most easily manifested in an increase in prayer, a greater devotion at mass, greater devotion to our Eucharistic Lord, and a deeper appreciation of the work of the Spirit in conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. If we can discern that something is not going to do those things for us than we can be reasonably sure that it is not the Holy Spirit that is trying to lead us.

 

[Donald_Willms]

Hello Truthstalker,

Thank you for the prevoking question. I find many facets of discernment coming to mind and heart but for the sake of clarity I will try to limit myself to a few from my walk with God.

Balance
I think the observation of [both - and] is very important. Throughout the history of the church we see a certain amount to tension between the charismatic (Seers, Prophets) and ecclesial (Bishops, Magisterium) elements of the church. I like the image of a kite and an anchor. A kite, if it is to soar and dance through the heavens, must be under tension and be anchored to the ground. The anchor at the same time cannot be static but has a dance of its own though more sedate, at times pulling in and at others letting go. This analogy helps me to see the tension as good and necessary for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and the walk of the Christian.

Obedience
The principle of Christian obedience is at the heart of the practical walk with god. When I first moved into the city where I now live I had limited resources and alot of time. I found myself walking most everywhere and I began to let the signs, traffic and such to direct the particular route or side of the street I would take from point A to B. This became a profound meditation for me on obedience and the importance and necessity of the little encounters with my neighbours along the way. There are almost an infinite number of factors that dictate where I am in time and space which are completely out of my control. I found tremendous joy in waiting for a walk signal at a stop light and submitting myself to the providence of God (even through civil authority) and the prayerful encouters with my Lord and neighbours that followed. My life is much more busy and complicated now and it is more difficult to surrender but I try to rejoice and offer my weekness to the Lord and beg that he overcome any stubborness and pride in my heart and accompish all that he desires.

Conscience
The argument of tyranny and the possible use of civil and ecclesial authority to perpetrate grave evil often rises as a complication to obedience. This is where the concept of “good conscience” (I’m sure there is a better term) comes in. We are required as Christians to form our conscience according to the life and teaching of Christ, anchored in the Church and Magisterium. If at anytime someone in proper authority (civil or ecclesial) should command us to act contrary to the life and teaching of Christ we as Christians are compelled to refuse the command. This creates a problem of disobeying proper authority. What resolves this for me is the earnest obedience to the concequences or punishment of refusing the unjust command. I see this clearly as the ideal set out by Christ and the saints we are to strive for with all our being. Do I succeed? No. Again I rejoice (or attempt to) in my weekness and offer all that I am again and again to my Lord, trusting in His mercy and the Counselor He gave us.

Joyful Exploration
Discernment for me is a matter of exploring the avenues before me with much prayer. I know God reveals himself verbally and with an awesome clarity to some but this has not been my experience. God seems to breathe on me. Again that image of the kite and the breeze of the Spirit. This is where submitting to the many things that are beyond my control becomes important as eventually it becomes clear (even terrifyingly so) that a million miniscule factors are moving me in one particular direction. Community and particularily a spiritual director are also neccissary for me as I typically do not recognize my own gifts and often exaggerate my failings thus requiring some third person objectivity. This is not a neat and tidy process but then again we are not membars of a neat and tidy Church. I have come to recognize in my life that my failings have lead me to good and holy situations that I would never have never entered of my own will. How many times have I gone somewhere for a specific purpose only to find that purpose was a practical impossibility. On so many of these occasions however I have encountered someone with a need and/or had a profound encounter with God. Again and again I rejoice in my weekness and offer all that I am to the Lord. And so I wander through this great adventure with God as He accomplishes His desires.

His little fool
donald