WOM18 – The Gift of Grace – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating

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The Gift of Grace – The Way of Mystery with Deacon James Keating

Deacon James Keating describes the spiritual journey from attachment to sin into a life shaped by Christ’s light. This shift usually begins through pain or restlessness that awakens a desire for something deeper. As a person moves away from sin and leans into virtue, the presence of Christ becomes clearer, forming the mind and heart through prayer, scripture, worship, and especially the Eucharist. Over time, a person stops acting in isolation and instead makes choices with Christ dwelling within, seeking His guidance in every moral question. This inner communion brings freedom, joy, and clarity, not constraint, because the Christian life becomes a relationship of deepening love rather than instant transformation.

Worship shapes moral life because it immerses the soul in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Practical discernment includes immediately handing temptations over to Christ before they take root in the imagination and lead the will astray. All ethical questions are to be placed within the mystery of Christ rather than secular ideologies. A well-formed conscience draws from scripture, the Eucharist, and the Church’s teaching authority, which safeguards doctrine and prevents confusion born from private theories or theological trends. True renewal in the Church arises where Catholics rediscover authentic teaching, which challenges one toward holiness and aligns life with Christ rather than cultural pressures.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

How has Christ begun to bring light into areas of your life where you once felt restless or dissatisfied?
In what ways does your participation in the Eucharist shape the choices you make throughout the week?
Where do you still rely on your own independence rather than inviting Christ into your decisions?
How quickly do you turn to Christ when you notice temptation arising within you?
What helps you enter worship not as a routine, but as a living encounter with God?
How do you place your daily moral questions within the mystery of Christ rather than cultural or personal preferences?
In what ways could your conscience be more deeply formed by scripture and the Church’s teaching?
How does your relationship with Christ affect the way you evaluate what is truly good or meaningful?
What practices help you remain attentive to Christ dwelling within you throughout the day?
How is God inviting you to grow in humility when receiving teaching or correction within the Church?

Deacon James Keating, Ph.D., is a professor of Spiritual Theology and serves as a spiritual director at Kenrick Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Check out Deacon Keating’s “Discerning Heart” page