Today we can consider the words of two of John the Baptist's followers who were sent to Jesus with this question: Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another? It is the question of discernment once again. For us today there are those moments when we want to know if something we think about doing, something that seems to be "calling" us to follow in Jesus' footsteps or someone who is suggesting a way of walking the correct roadway to meet our Lord God.
Like John's disciples we are looking for the clues that are the best directions for us on our journey of life. Even now it is not too early to consider seriously one or two New Year's resolutions. Perhaps if we do start this early, we might come upon a practice that is significant and one that we will make a serious effort to achieve. The resolutions made on December 30 and 31st rarely survive the heat of the day.
The real question is this: how do I recognize how do we recognize evil, illusions, charlatans, or just misperceptions? Jesus provided the best answer: look at what I have been doing. Apparently before these two disciples of John and others, Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits; he also granted sight to many who were blind. Jesus was teaching through his actions that doing the Father's will is caring for others, especially the needy, the marginalized of society.
But how do we know what is best for ourselves in what we should be doing while attempting to strengthen our own spiritual lives? How do we discern where God is calling us? First, of course, there has to be some times with your Lord God in silent prayer, in moments when the heart is opened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, and surely in this we are blessed: reading Sacred Scripture. Thirdly, and again we are blessed by the number of saints and sinners who have written letters or books that can help us hear what God is calling us to do. We live in a blessed time when there are a significant number of men and women who are writing books about contemporary spirituality. Most recently, as mentioned even in yesterday's blog, we are blessed to have the writings of Saint John Cardinal Newman. Some of his works are deep but there are many, especially his sermons that are a gold mine of helpful thoughts. Likewise some of the writings of St. Augustine are treasures.
So, there are a number of avenues available to all of us that can help us know with more certainty what it is that God asks of us, where it is that God is leading us each day of our lives.
