In this month of July, the Holy Father invites us to pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.
To discern is to know that a decision needs to be made, to acknowledge the reality that the Lord has given us freedom to choose, even if we can make the wrong choice. It is better that we learn to choose than to simply be told what to do, so that we learn to take responsibility for our own choices and actions.
In the Book of Deuteronomy, we hear Moses say to the Hebrews: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life!” Choose the way of God and not the way of self-centeredness and death.
How do we learn to choose wisely, according to the wisdom of God?
Firstly, we can seek understanding and rely on the teachings of the Church that have been developed over the centuries.
The lives of the saints can also be instructive. Take the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits: During his convalescence from a badly broken leg suffered in battle, he begins to notice how some of his thoughts and imaginations lead him away from God, whereas some others lead him closer to God and give him lasting joy and peace.
We can begin to pay more attention to our daily thoughts and experiences in a prayerful manner by remembering three specific points: Thank you, I am sorry, and please. For what am I thankful or sorry today? For what do I ask the grace of God for assistance?
This can help us to better tune our spiritual antenna, so that we know better what leads us to a path of abundant life, and what leads us to a path that runs counter to the Gospel.
Fr. Edmund Lo SJ
Fr. Edmund Lo SJ is the national coordinator of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network in Canada, as well as the vocations director of the Canadian Jesuits