How does one "discern" something?

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BonnieBj

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MY oblate director told me to discern which person on a list of ones available is to be my spiritual director. I have prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance and nothing. I look at the list and have no clue. I need to choose someone from this list to be my spiritual director. How do I discern which one is the right one to choose?
 
Pray, listen, wait, pray, listen, wait, pray, listen, wait, and repeat and repeat and throughout be silent within; do not hold internal conversations with yourself. Do not grow impatient. If you have prayed and you think your prayer is not answered it is because you have not prayed correctly.(not a criticism but an observation based on Sacred Scripture)

The Lord is teaching you something for your spiritual formation in this. Continue to pray, wait and listen…the helper always comes.Remain attentive to the convictions of the Holy Spirit.

I always think, who am I that the Lord should do anything for me? I am no-one. My human dignity is in Christ Jesus and it is in Him because I strive to serve Him and therefore the Truine God and the whole of humanity. So then friend, who are you that the Lord would do anything for you, why should He, for what purpose? We are as dust. We are deserving of nothing, not one crumb of bread nor one inch of His Mercy. He gifts because He is all Goodness and Love…

Continue to pray.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa
 
first use the common sense methods. get to know the persons listed, find out what their schedules are, where they are located etc., rule out those who you cannot work with. Take time to get to know the others, perhaps schedule a session with each one, or take a class they offer or some other way. When you have identified 2-3 who seem to be people you can work with, feel comfortable with, and can trust, then pray for help in ranking them.

Don’t agonize over it too much. You may be surprised, even if you make what seems to be a wrong choice at first. make a choice by the deadline, work with that person and see how it develops. Give it at least six months, if it clearly seems wrong, you can always change. Just remember part of the principle of spiritual direction is that you actually follow the counsel you are given. If you find yourself always in opposition consult with the director of oblates about changing.
 
True Puzzleannine or perhaps the Lord is silent because all of them will be suitable and you can choose from any of them and receive His guidance through them.

I say, continue to pray but don’t remain confused and inert.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa
 
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