Discernment:
The Spirituality Of St. Francis De Sales
and
Contemporary Perspectives
John W. Crossin, O.S.F.S.
What does God want me to do? This is a question of importance and a question which sometimes provokes sleepless nights. This is the question of discernment. The present paper will address this question from the viewpoint of the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales. Within the context of this spirituality, it will examine some contemporary reflections on discernment and offer a few suggestions toward the practice of more effective discernment.
Discernment supposes that we believe in God. More importantly, it supposes that God is near. While we easily speak of God as near, we frequently imagine God as distant. Thus we are safe from change! For "the more I see the Lord's passionate commitment to me, the more I will see my own wounds, my own reluctance to respond, my own great need of him."[1] The light of Christ enables me to see myself and others more clearly. This light leads to a deeper repentance. Christ speaks to us; His grace enables us to respond.
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