Discernment of Spirits Lenten SeriesOrigen of Alexandria describes the Discernment of Spirits as the ability to accept divine guidance from the Holy Spirit and the Logos (The Word) in order to distinguish between what is good and what is evil. John Cassian, known as the father of eastern monasticism, reminded his brother monks that without the use of discretion (discernment), even the holiest and stoutest of monks can be brought down.
Being attentive and attuning the ear to recognize God and the Holy Spirit is essential to the Christian life. In other words, this is the virtue that helps us to identify God’s presence in every moment and lead us to His Will. In this way, it may be the singular most important virtue that we can develop, allowing our faith to lead us through our everyday challenges. Beginning March 8th, Fr. Ketterlin will be leading a 5-week session that will be on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm. We will be using Dan Burke’s Discernment of Spirits, copies will be provided by the parish. |
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WEEK 1: Spiritual Warfare and Discernment in the Tradition
Spiritual warfare is not only about Rosaries and prayers to St. Michael. While these are some of its most potent weapons, as Cassian reminds his monks: without the use of discretion, even the holiest and stoutest of monks can be brought down. More than a pitched battle, spiritual warfare is about listening and being attentive to the presence of God and His angels, and identifying the attempts of the evil spirits to draw us from the path our Father created for us. We will begin opening this world of discernment and the spiritual life looking at the Church Fathers and our long standing tradition in discerning God’s presence and Will.
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Week 2: The Basic Principles of Discernment
God is speaking to us in every moment and is attentive to even the smallest details of our life. Once we turn our attention toward the Discernment of Spirits, we quickly find that almost everything we’ve been taught and have done in discernment is wrong. The first part in re-shifting our attention is to recall the key ingredients: Identifying consolations and desolations Using and being guided by virtue Discerning along the way through God’s Blessings and our companions Being confident that God is speaking in every moment |
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Week 3: Rules 1-4: Identifying Desolation and Consolation
In our third week, we begin to look closely at St. Ignatius’ Rules of Discernment. In the beginning, the focus lies in identifying desolations and consolations, and choosing to flee desolation while pursuing consolation. |
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Week 4: Rules 5-9: Responding to Desolation
In rules five thru nine, St. Ignatius focuses his attention on the challenge of responding to desolation. While the basic advice is to avoid making decisions while we are in desolation, St. Ignatius and others, offer practical insight in how to actually respond and how these desolations can help one move closer to God. |
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Week 5: Rules 10-14: Strengthening and Growing in Discernment
In the final session, we look at the final rules that St. Ignatius gives us, as well as how this discernment also helps us in our relationships, responding in day-to-day situations, and in deepening our spiritual life all together. |
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