Self-Directed Discernment Retreat

 

The Institute for Diaconal Studies is a distinct program

that addresses specifically the mission and identity of diaconal ministry while educating men for the three-fold ministry of service

to the Word, Liturgy and Charity

Day 5—God Announces the Way

 

God has been with me this week. I feel God’s presence. I realize this may be just the beginning to a decision. Discernment does not occur overnight.

 

I will remember the words spoken to Mary by the angel that “nothing is impossible with God.”

 

This moment cries out for simplicity and silence. It begs for a humble person. God rejoices at a committed heart.

 

Do I need to bring my thoughts to a spiritual director?

I need my pastor’s support. Should I get to know him better—maybe, take him to dinner?

Is this the right time to begin study and formation?

My family’s support and consent are necessary. Am I certain my family is 100% behind me?

 

Lay ministry? Ordained deacon? Do I remain in the pew? All are good and holy decisions. I believe the Lord is asking me to…

 

I will now offer a spontaneous prayer to Jesus. “Lord...

 

This day…

 

I will choose how and when to fast (Remember, follow your doctor’s orders when it comes to diet and exercise – be sure to hydrate and have small, nutritional snacks).

I will generously set aside alms for the poor (Please return all of your alms offerings to your parish’s poor box).

I will enter into silence for 30 minutes in a special place.

I will open my bible and pray Psalm 132 slowly…and then pray it again even…slower.

I will write a letter to my God expressing my desire, my openness, my deliberation, my humility—my decision.

 

The question to ponder this day…

 

Am I able and willing to make a decision about a vocation?

 

My Morning Meditation…

 

Rejoice! We must boldly proclaim the mystery of Christ!

 

Every disciple of Christ is responsible in his own measure for the spread of the faith, but Christ the Lord is always calling from among his followers those whom he wills, so that they may be with him and be sent by him to preach to the nations.

 

Through the Holy Spirit, who distributes gifts as he wills for the good of all, Christ implants in the hearts of individuals the vocation to be a missionary, and at the same time he raises up in the Church (ministries) which make their own task of spreading the gospel that belongs to the whole church.

 

A special vocation marks out those who are prepared to undertake the missionary task, and have the right natural disposition for it, with suitable gifts and talents. Sent by lawful authority, they go out in obedience and faith to those who are far from Christ. They have been set apart for the task to which they have been called as ministers of the gospel, to make Gentiles an acceptable offering, sanctified in the Holy Spirit.

 

Those whom God calls must answer his call in such a way that, without regard for purely human counsel, they may devote themselves wholly to the work of the Gospel. This response cannot be given except with the inspiration and strength of the Holy Spirit.

 

The person who is sent enters into the life and mission of him who emptied himself, taking the nature of a slave. He must be ready therefore to be true to his vocation for life, to deny himself, renouncing all that he had before, and to become all things to all men.

 

In preaching the Gospel to the nations he must boldly proclaim the mystery of Christ, whose ambassador he is, so that in Christ he may have the courage to speak as he ought, and not be ashamed of the scandal of the cross. He must follow in the footsteps of his Master, who was gentle and humble of heart, and to reveal to others that his yoke is easy and his burden light.

 

By a life that is truly according to the Gospel, by much endurance, by forbearance, by kindness and sincere love, he must bear witness to the Lord.

 

He will pray to God for strength and courage.

 

- From the decree on the missionary activity of the Church of the Second Vatican Council

 

My Evening Contemplation…

 

The fact that I am always searching for God, always struggling to discover the fullness of Love, always yearning for the complete truth, tells me that I have already been given a taste of God, of Love and of Truth. I can only look for something that I have, to some degree, already found. How can I search for beauty and truth unless that beauty and truth are already known to me in the depth of my heart? It seems that we have deep inner memories of the paradise that we have lost. Maybe the word “innocence” is better than the word “paradise.” We are innocent before we started feeling guilty; we were in the light before we entered the darkness; we were at home before we started to search for a home. Deep in the recesses of our minds and hearts lies hidden the treasure we seek. We know its preciousness, and we know that it holds the gift we most desire: a life stronger than death.

 

- Henri Nouwen, Bread for the Journey, 1997

 

Before I rest…

 

These precious moments of retreat now come to their conclusion. Return to the overview page and review the statements on successful discernment. Open your heart. Pray to make a decision blessed and encouraged by God.

 

Lord, thank you for forgiving me and enlightening me.

 

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.

                                                                        Luke 2: 29-32

 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

 

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

 

 

Institute for Diaconal Studies