Category Archives: Gaudete et Exsultate

The Mother of Jesus exemplifies discipleship, and remains a model and guide for those who wish to adhere more closely to the teachings and way of the Son: 176. I would like these reflections to be crowned by Mary, because … Continue reading →

175. When, in God’s presence, we examine our life’s journey, no areas can be off limits. In all aspects of life we can continue to grow and offer something greater to God, even in those areas we find most difficult. … Continue reading →

One final note on discernment, The logic of gift and of the cross. First, a note to those who complain God works too slowly: 174. An essential condition for progress in discernment is a growing understanding of God’s patience and his … Continue reading →

More on listening: 173: Naturally, this attitude of listening entails obedience to the Gospel as the ultimate standard, but also to the Magisterium that guards it, as we seek to find in the treasury of the Church whatever is most … Continue reading →

When we are silent in conversation, it inspires a friend or loved one to speak. Pope Francis knows that our discipline of silence invites God, and we need not even utter, “Speak, Lord.” When another human being talks to us, … Continue reading →

171. The Lord speaks to us in a variety of ways, at work, through others and at every moment. Yet we simply cannot do without the silence of prolonged prayer, which enables us better to perceive God’s language, to interpret … Continue reading →

Today, let’s look a bit more deeply into a supernatural gift: 170. Certainly, spiritual discernment does not exclude existential, psychological, sociological or moral insights drawn from the human sciences. At the same time, it transcends them. Use reason, but don’t … Continue reading →

Today, Always in the light of the Lord. We would aspire to always be, but in this mortal space, not always possible. This aspiration beckons us to discernment not only when the big questions confront us, but also in everyday … Continue reading →

Writing of the “urgent need for discernment,” Pope Francis notes that when new things happen, we can be particularly vulnerable. Is something new genuine? Or is the novelty illusory? Dangerous, even? This paragraph strikes me as apt as the scandals … Continue reading →

Today, a discussion continues on an urgent need, the gift of discernment: 167. The gift of discernment has become all the more necessary today, since contemporary life offers immense possibilities for action and distraction, and the world presents all of … Continue reading →

The final theme of Gaudete et Exsultate will be one dear to those even casually familiar with Ignatian Spirituality. Discernment will occupy our attention for the next several days here. The question we all want to ask, at one time or another: … Continue reading →

Pope Francis cites Scripture, but the description is familiar to anyone who has experience with the Ignatian discipline of discernment of spirits. The path of sin for a believer is far different from that of someone blind to virtue. Perhaps … Continue reading →

Today, let’s look at the theme of Spiritual corruption. Let’s begin with the Scriptural witness: 164. The path of holiness is a source of peace and joy, given to us by the Spirit. At the same time, it demands that … Continue reading →

Is the above title an accurate paraphrase for Pope Francis’ advice? In every Jesuit institution I’ve known, living out the motto Magis entails a deep generosity, and a life far from neutral: 163: Along this journey, the cultivation of all that … Continue reading →

The believer is always alert and trustful. Alert, obviously, for danger. Trusting in the various tools–weapons if you will–God provides for our benefit. 162. God’s word invites us clearly to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11) and … Continue reading →