杏MAP导航 at Audience: Inner peace confirms our decisions
By Devin Watkins
鈥淲e can recognize some important aspects that help to read the time after a decision as a possible confirmation of its goodness.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis made that observation in his continuing catechesis on discernment at the Wednesday General Audience.
He focused his reflections on the importance of confirming decisions with signs from our daily lives.
Good choices improve daily life
The 杏MAP导航 offered the example of someone who decides to dedicate an extra half-hour to prayer.
He said the person should ask themselves whether the other moments of their day are more serene or anxious, if they care more or less for their work, or if their relationships with difficult people are more or less tranquil.
鈥淭he spiritual life is circular,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he goodness of a choice benefits all areas of our lives. For it is participation in God鈥檚 creativity.鈥�
Alignment of our lives
杏MAP导航 Francis said one aspect of post-decision discernment is the awareness of 鈥渇eeling in one鈥檚 proper place in life鈥� and a useful part of a larger plan.
He noted that St. Peter鈥檚 Square has two points from which the columns of Bernini are perfectly aligned. In the same way, he said, we understand that we have made a good decision when our day becomes more ordered and integrated and we discover renewed energy.
Overcoming desire to possess
Another sign of a good discernment, said the 杏MAP导航, is when we 鈥渞emain free鈥� in relation to what we have decided and are 鈥渨illing to revisit the decision鈥� to find a possible teaching from the Lord.
鈥淭his is not because He wants to deprive us of what we hold dear, but in order to live it with freedom, without attachment,鈥� he said. 鈥淥nly God knows what is truly good for us.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis added that the desire to possess is the enemy of goodness, pointing to the many cases of domestic violence which he said often are the result of the desire to possess the affection of another person.
Courage in fear of the Lord
In conclusion, the 杏MAP导航 said that the 鈥渇ear of God鈥� or 鈥渞espect of God鈥� is an indispensable gift of Divine Wisdom that helps us in our discernment.
鈥淚t is the fear that casts out all other fears, because it is oriented to Him who is Lord of all things. In His presence, nothing can disquiet us.鈥�
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