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Conference 1 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher introduces St. Ignatius of Loyola’s teaching on discernment, presenting it as a gift for the whole Church, not just the Jesuits. He recounts St. Ignatius’ personal conversion and the spiritual insight that followed, especially his recognition of lasting interior peace when reading about Christ and the saints.
There are two kinds of discernment Ignatius teaches: the discernment of spirits, which deals with spiritual consolation and desolation, and the discernment of God’s will in significant life choices. He walks through the structure of the Spiritual Exercises, particularly the importance of preparing the soul through prayer, detachment from disordered attachments, and cultivating a receptive disposition toward God’s will.
St. Ignatius helps us discern well in a range of choices, using real-life examples. For decisions between good and bad, the Church’s moral teaching provides clarity. For decisions between two good options—such as using one’s gifts in ministry or fulfilling family duties—one must weigh how each aligns with one’s vocation and responsibilities. For daily choices, such as how to spend time or respond to a need, Fr. Gallagher presents a simple framework: pray briefly, review the relevant factors, make the best decision possible, carry it out peacefully, and later reflect on the outcome. Learning to discern well brings peace, freedom, and a deeper surrender to Christ’s lordship in daily life.
You can find various handouts spoken of by Fr. Gallagher in the links below:
- Handout 1: https://www.discerninghearts.com/PDF/Discerning_the_Will_of_God-DISCERNING_HEARTS.pdf
- Handout 2: https://www.discerninghearts.com/PDF/Text-of-St-Ignatius-SpirEx,175-188.pdf
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
- Do I sincerely seek God’s will in both major decisions and the small, daily choices of my life?
- What attachments or preferences might be hindering my openness to God’s direction?
- How well do I prepare my heart in prayer and detachment before trying to discern God’s will?
- When faced with a choice between two good options, do I consider how each aligns with my vocation and responsibilities?
- Am I willing to renounce control and allow Christ to truly be the Lord of my choices?
- How often do I review my decisions in prayer to learn and grow in discernment?
- Do I allow the teachings of the Church to guide me when I’m unsure whether a choice is morally right?
- When I discern and act, do I carry it out with peace, or do I second-guess and dwell in anxiety?
- Do I take time daily to ask the Lord what He wants of me in my ordinary responsibilities and relationships?
- In what ways is God inviting me to live more deeply the spiritual disposition of “Your will be done”?
