Day 79. The Call: Recognizing God’s Voice - I
But man’s hairs are easier to count than his affections and the movements of his heart.
Augustine, Confessions 4, 14
What kind of “listening” does discernment require? As you may recall, this kind of listening begins by training our spiritual ears to hear the Word of God as it comes to us in “the supreme rule of faith” Scripture and Tradition (Day 15). If we have faithfully attuned our heart, soul, mind and strength to the resonant tone coming from these most excellent channels of the one sacred deposit of revelation, we are ready to recognize God’s voice in other aspects of life.
What other aspects? We can hear God by “listening” – that is, paying attention – to all the information we get from our senses and experiences, our knowledge and intuition, our dreams and desires, our impulses and our inspirations. We gather up these many clues and reflectively, prayerfully seek to recognize the “voice” of God speaking through it all. It’s not easy, but very possible. We also keep in mind that we have an enemy who wants to derail the process, but still we’re undeterred. We take confidence from God’s promise: he wants to speak to us, and he will guide and protect us as we learn to discern.
From the Bible, we can trace out certain characteristics of the voice of God that will help us make sense of our own discernment jumble. I offer them in the form of seven “P” principles. This device is meant only to help our feeble memories, not to be trite or to pretend that God’s dynamic and ever-surprising word can be packaged so neatly.
God’s call, therefore, is personal, possible, pleasing, patterned, pure, permanent and powerful.
God’s call is personal. When we speak of a vocation, we’re not talking about some impersonal “fate” or “destiny.” Vocation is God’s will addressed person to person. Jesus desires to communicate with you personally. You are not some cog in his vast human machine. You are someone the Lord wants to share intimate friendship with. So, he’s not going to erase your personality – something he took great care in creating – and substitute some completely alien identity. He loves you as you, and an authentic vocation is always complementary, not alien, to the person you are. When it comes to your true nature, grace doesn’t replace, it builds, enhances, expands, awakens and finally exalts.
By saying the call is personal, however, we don’t mean “individual.” A vocation is always communal. It is a call to service and love within the larger body of Christ. As the Church teaches, “Christian vocation, whatever shape it takes, is a gift whose purpose is to build up the Church and to increase the kingdom of God in the world.” (PDV #35)
God’s call is possible. There is an internal aspect to this possibility and an external one. Internally, God’s call often begins with an intuitive spark that says, “I can see myself doing this.” Granted it might be hard to hear with all the other impulses and ideas that clutter our thoughts, but still we can perceive some subtle sense of possibility from the start. Ironically this sense can often be recognized by it’s opposite – by all the ways we try (unsuccessfully) to convince ourselves that, really, such-and-such a vocation would be totally out of the question.
The external aspect of possibility primarily has to do with the role of the Church. The Church is a partner with you in discernment and is graced in Jesus her Lord to recognize and confirm the authentic call of God. So, if you’re discerning for priesthood, God’s call is confirmed by the doors he’ll open for you to be accepted by a seminary. Further, he’ll equip you through his Church to perform the necessary functions of a priest. You may have to face major difficulties in this whole process, but with sustained prayer and effort, they give way. If, however, you come up against obstacles that won’t budge – I mean really won’t – you’ll have to conclude that this is not God’s will. As disappointing as we might find such a block, at least it’s clear that God does not ask us to do what we cannot do.
God’s call is pleasing. If you’re like I was, you’re thinking, “Pleasing? Please!” There are very few examples from scripture of people being happy about hearing God’s call. Quite often they are terrified and usually they need lots of reassurance. We too may react with disbelief, fear, and, in the sentiments of so many Biblical characters, the objection, “you’ve got the wrong guy!” Clearly, in the beginnings, God’s voice can be unsettling. But it doesn’t remain so. Gradually, as we yield our hearts to his expressed purposes, there comes a peace and a growing sense of pleasure. Over the years of living out our vocation, this pleasure may be clouded over by periods of trial and purification, but somewhere deep down it will endure as a lasting joy. Vocation is not a sentence to lifelong misery. We may end up doing things that are externally not pleasing at all (like caring for the dying), yet the awareness that we are obeying God’s direction for our life can bring enormous satisfaction and pleasure.
God’s call is patterned. You’ll notice that almost every “call” narrative from scripture follows a similar pattern. God calls, the person reacts in fear. God (or an angel) comforts and offers strength. The person expresses devotion. God announces his call, his plan for the person. The person questions, resists, and makes excuses. God explains further, and in that dialogue, we see God revealing himself through the conversation. The person may ask for some sign. God provides a sign – although sometimes it’s not a pleasant one. Finally the person consents and the rest is, so to speak, sacred history.
There are patterns to divine communication. And discernment involves learning those patterns. In your own journey, God has already been in dialogue with you through such patterns and you may not be aware of it. An inspiration through music, a conviction of sin over some selfish act, a sense of comfort in a time of turmoil. All these experiences set patterns that God will reference again and again as you learn to discern. We must be careful, though, that we not mistake pattern for predictability. Otherwise, we might be tempted to make discernment into a formula. God sets patterns in his communication but he is infinitely creative in re-working those patterns in each new moment. Yesterday’s grace is no substitute for today’s.
Before we conclude, a word about signs might be helpful. A young man I know decided to investigate religious life for only one reason. One day he was wondering about what his own vocation might be as he walked into a bookstore. The first book he set his eyes on was about consecrated life. He concluded from this coincidence that God was giving him a sign and wanted him to consider a religious vocation. There’s nothing wrong with this decision in principle, except for an important note: he felt no other inclination, no interior “nudge” for religious life. His subsequent year of discernment within a community was one long battle. In the end he left confused about the “sign” he had believed was from God. There’s a valuable lesson here. Signs are fine but they don’t stand alone. God will confirm his signs by internal signals, and most importantly by making possible and pleasing what he has also indicated by a pattern of signs.
Another story might help to illustrate this in a positive way. A priest once described to me the way he came to his own vocation. “God always talks to me with numbers,” he explained, “especially the number three. Whenever I start seeing a lot of three’s, God is trying to say something to me.” He told of the year he spent struggling with a growing sense that God was calling him to priesthood. He thought “this can’t be, God. I’m the last guy you would want as a priest!” Because he partied a lot and was in a grunge band (with a huge, bushy head of hair) he thought that he just wasn’t the priestly type. One night, he couldn’t sleep and the priest issue weighed on him so much that he thought he couldn’t take it anymore. He sat up in bed and tried to pray. At first he struggled, but then a peace came over him and he said, “Lord, you must know better than I do what is best for me. If you want me to be a priest, I’ll do my part.” Tears filled his eyes and a sense of relief overwhelmed him. He still doesn’t know how long he cried, but when he opened his eyes and looked around him, he noticed his digital clock. The time was 3:33. To this day, he knows it was a sign from God. Judging from his first three years of happy priestly ministry, I’m inclined to believe him.
We look forward to further graces as we continue our seven principles tomorrow.
Novena Prayer
RENEWAL OF CONSECRATION TO MARY
Mary, please intercede for me during this Discernment Novena.
You heard the voice of the angel and trusted in the plan of God,
Teach me to listen and to trust.
You pondered in your heart the mystery of God’s unfolding will.
Teach me to silently reflect and discern.
You yielded to the power and grace of the Holy Spirit; gratefully receiving His gifts
Teach me to receive the gifts of the Spirit in my life.
You courageously followed the path marked down for you by God – even to the foot of the cross.
Teach me to be courageous in bearing with Jesus my own cross.
Mary my mother, I consecrate myself to you for the duration of this period of discernment.
Please pray for me that when the time is right, I will respond to God’s invitation in the same words as you:
“I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”
Amen.
(in your own words, ask for Mary to intercede for you to the Lord. Ask for whatever you desire: clarity, peace of mind, patience, persistence).
Make it My Own
Daily Discernment Workbook
BREAK OPEN YOUR BIBLE
1. Jesus Calls Each Differently
We don’t discern honestly because we think we already know what God will say. We assume that Jesus will always call us to the hardest, most sacrificial path if we give him the chance. The following passages reveal the variety of calls that Jesus gives. Match the description of the call on the left with the passage on the right.
1. This one offered to be a disciple, but Jesus sent him to witness instead to his people.
2. This one offered to be a disciple, but Jesus saw his commitment was insufficient.
3. This one was a dear friend of Jesus, but was not a disciple.
4. This one was invited by Jesus to be a disciple, but he decided not to follow.
A. John 11:1-3; 32-36
B. Mark 5:18-20
C. Luke 9:57-58
D. Mark 10:17-22
2. Getting Personal
What lessons can we draw from the passages above? Below I match the lesson with the passage and its description and then add my own thoughts. How does this apply to me?
Passage: [ ] Lesson: Offering to follow Jesus opens the way for his will to take me in unexpected directions. Because Jesus sent this would-be follower to witness instead of returning with him to Galilee, his homeland was prepared to receive the gospel years later in the age of the Church.
My Thoughts:
Passage: [ ] Lesson: I have to decide to lay all my options, abilities, treasures and attachments down to follow Jesus. Any, any small thing I cling to will ultimately be required of me to surrender. Am I willing to lay it all down right now? If not, what am I still holding on to? The hope for a perfect relationship? The dream of some great achievement I need to “take care of first?” Now is the time to lay it down. If Jesus wants me to take it up again later, that’s for him to decide.
My Thoughts:
Passage: [ ] Lesson: Being close to Jesus doesn’t mean I have to follow a celibate vocation. Married people and single people can also experience a very deep friendship with Jesus.
My Thoughts:
Passage: [ ] Lesson: Bold statements are not the same as magnanimity. Whatever is motivated by self-confidence rather than humble faith in God is insufficient and Jesus will make this clear to us in our conversation with him.
My Thoughts:
MY FAITH BUILDERS
3. Not from God
In all the examples below the calling or guidance is NOT from God. Using the criteria above: God’s call is Personal, Possible, Pleasing, and Patterned, identify which one is MISSING in each (since more than one may apply, I pick the one I think is most clearly absent). Next I offer my own words of advice to these people who are trying to listen to God’s voice in their daily lives.
A. My friends call me “Bible Girl.” Whenever God has called me to make a big move he’s given me a scripture passage that fits perfectly with the direction he wants me to take. Whether it’s what college to attend, or what major, or what job, there’s always some Bible verse he uses to guide me. The way I know it’s God is I get the scripture days or even weeks before the issue or question arises and I can’t get it out of my head. I’m always wondering, “What does this passage apply to?” And it never fails that he shows me the application clearly when the question or issue needs my decision. This year my best opposite-sex friend was looking for a new roommate. He offered it to me and it’s a sweet deal. For not much rent I get my own room, but we share a kitchen, living room and bathroom. I haven’t had any scripture passage come to me which is odd. Do you suppose God is just cutting me loose on this one to make my own call?
This calling is not from God because it’s not: [ ] My advice:
B. During adoration on a youth retreat I attended in high school, I experienced God’s love for the first time. Afterwards they had an altar call where people who thought God was calling them to pursue a vocation came forward. I was so full of this new experience that I jumped up, ran to the front and said the prayer of commitment with a number of other people my age. Ever since then I’ve felt I made a mistake in committing myself to pursue a religious vocation. I have absolutely no desire to, and I get extreme anxiety attacks just thinking about it. Every time I go on a date, though, I feel guilty because of the commitment I made on retreat. I’m terrified God will reject me if I back out of becoming a nun.
This calling is not from God because it’s not: [ ] My advice:
C. My friend is a seminarian and he’s really pushing me to join the seminary too. He says he’s never been so happy in his life. I told him I don’t feel any call from God to be a priest. In fact, I consistently experience God blessing my pursuit of a business degree to help my family run our farm more efficiently. Personally, I feel God closest when I’m out with our day laborers in the orchards because we treat them well and I know their families. My friend says the need for priests in the Church trumps any other vocation for me. Am I being selfish?
This calling is not from God because it’s not: [ ] My advice:
D. I married young and we’ve always struggled to get by. We have two daughters and one of them is constantly sick. I’ve turned more and more to prayer to find peace. Last year my wife and I made a weekend retreat that changed our lives. Since then we’ve been devouring anything we can find about Catholic life and especially the saints. A couple of weeks ago I was reading about a saint in the middle ages who convinced his married brother to separate from his wife to join his monastery. She went to the convent and their kids were raised in a Church orphanage. I had this powerful sense that God was calling me to do the same. When I told my wife she flipped out and cried, “How can you leave your own daughters?” I can’t shake this feeling that God really wants this. I’m afraid my wife’s getting in the way of me following God.
This calling is not from God because it’s not: [ ] My advice:
Note: All of the situations above are merely a window on a given case of discernment. Saying it’s not from God does not mean God can’t change the situation later or clarify the call. So we’re not saying the person isn’t called to the course they think God is indicating. Only that in THIS moment, under THESE circumstances, the calling isn’t God.
Conclude with
“Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be.
World without end, Amen.”
[1] Dei Verbum, 21
[2] This is demonstrated most excellently in divine revelation where God “speaks to men as friends.” DV 2
[3] “…in the dialogue in which God confides in him, Moses also learns how to pray: he balks, makes excuses, above all questions: and it is in response to his question that the Lord confides his ineffable name, which will be revealed through his mighty deeds.” CCC #2575
DON’T CHEAT! If you’re checking these before you’ve tried to answer on your own, go back and do it the right way!
A. Bible Girl: If God usually communicates in a certain way, and the pattern is broken, we suggest God is saying something through his silence. Living with a guy she’s friends with will put Bible Girl in temptation. Instead of deciding to make her own decision and ‘go for it,’ she should consider whether God is saying ‘you know better than this.’ Our vote: It’s not God (the assumption she should make her own decision) because it’s not Patterned.
B. Altar Call: St. Ignatius actually cautions against this common discernment mistake called “afterglow.” If we have a uniquely powerful experience that IS from God, we may take steps afterwards that MAY OR MAY NOT BE from God, but think we’re acting in his will. In this case, her decision at the retreat to pray the prayer and be open to a vocation is admirable, but it’s not a binding vow. Since she’s had no further confirmation and no growing desire or attraction to religious life, she probably mistook the inspiration to go forward at the altar call as coming from God. There’s nothing wrong with this, and in fact God will bless her for her generous response, but she should not feel guilty if she decides to date. She might also take a more focused time of discernment, and if so that’s excellent! Either way, if God wants to reach her later and clarify the issue, he will. Our vote: It’s not God (the inspiration on retreat to pursue a vocation) because it’s not Pleasing.
C. Seminarian Friend: When someone else has found their own vocation, they may enthusiastically assume what’s right for them is right for everyone. The young man in this situation can feel very happy for his seminarian friend while also trusting his gut instinct that he’s following God’s will too by serving his family and the workers on their farm. Again, God can always make a specific vocational call to him later, but that’s exactly what’s missing now. He’s feels no personal leading towards Seminary. The strong push of his friend, despite offering very good reasons, is something to which he can peacefully say ‘thanks but no thanks.’ Our vote: It’s not God (the call to leave the family farm and pursue the priesthood) because it’s not Personal.
D. From Marriage to Monastery? If you’re already in a recognized vocation with binding promises (in this case, marriage), God doesn’t “change his mind” and call you somewhere else. No change of vocation can happen without the Church’s approval, and such instances are very rare. Stories of saints leaving marriage always emphasize a key point: both spouses decided together and obtained permission. Even so, the Church does not permit this for couples with young children for obvious reasons. In the example given, the married man should apply the first rule of discernment: if an inspiration moves you to break a commandment, a sacramental promise or a vow, it’s a phony inspiration. Blaming his wife’s resistance misses the point – he made a promise to her and God which she has every right to expect him to fulfill. No matter how strong his spiritual feelings are, he should resist acting on them. In time they will fade away. Our vote: It’s not God (the impulse to leave the marriage and enter a monastery) because it’s not Possible.