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Conference 3 – Discerning the Will of God with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.
Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses the foundation of discernment as presented in the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He highlights the deeply personal nature of each person’s calling, referencing scriptural examples like Jeremiah, Isaiah, St. Paul, and Jesus, who each had unique missions known to God from their earliest beginnings. This foundational principle, rooted in the intrinsic dignity and unrepeatable purpose of every human being, is essential for genuine spiritual discernment. Gallagher emphasizes that our primary focus should be on aligning our lives with God’s will, just as Christ expressed through His mission to “do the will of Him who sent me.”
Fr. Gallagher also outlines the spiritual tools Ignatius offers to support this process, including the Eucharist, regular confession, and prayer with Scripture. These practices deepen one’s openness to God’s will, helping to cultivate the necessary interior disposition for clear and faithful discernment. Personal examples illustrate the transformative power of these practices, demonstrating how they foster intimacy with God and provide clarity in times of choice.
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
- How do you understand the unique mission God has given you from all eternity?
- In what ways have you felt God’s personal call in your life, similar to the examples of Jeremiah or Isaiah?
- How can you make Christ’s prayer, “I come to do your will, O God,” the foundation of your daily life?
- Are there areas in your life where you find it difficult to hold yourself in balance, as Ignatius describes, while discerning God’s will?
- How often do you seek the grace of indifference, being equally open to all options until God reveals His will?
- How might you integrate more frequent reception of the Eucharist into your discernment process?
- Do you approach the sacrament of confession regularly, and how might this impact your ability to discern well?
- Have you experienced the transformative power of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in your discernment journey?
- What role does Scripture play in your spiritual life, especially when discerning important decisions?
- How can you more intentionally cultivate a disposition of trust and surrender, like Mary at the Annunciation, in your own discernment process?
