Our Discernment in Living Our Vincentian Vocation
The Church reminds us that the greatest of all treasures is the Kingdom of God. In His love, God Himself has chosen us and prepared it for us before time. The Church encourages us to pray for wisdom as Solomon did to enable us to discern the value of God’s kingdom and mysteries.
Our first reading for this week is from the First Book of Kings and it has to do with Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, the great Israelite king who built the temple, and who eventually became a problematic figure in Israelite history. This reading puts us right at the very beginning of Solomon’s reign, when he was just a young man-untried, inexperienced, likely beset by all sorts of self-doubt. And God appears to Solomon in a dream and says, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” This is an extraordinary, ordinary moment. If you were Solomon, what would you ask for? Some of us may ask for cars, houses, shoes, food, money, power, children, and much more. Solomon asks God for wisdom to benefit his and God’s kingdom. He begged God to give him understanding: “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to understand your people and to distinguish right from wrong.” God was pleased that Solomon made this request, and said to Solomon: “Because you have asked this-not for a long life for yourself, nor for riches, nor for the life of your enemies, but for understanding so that you may know what is right-I do as you requested, I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you…In addition…I give you such riches and glory that among Kings there will be no one like you all your days.” Solomon’s prayer reminds us of Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.”
Our Vincentian vocation is our call to Holiness. In our discernment, this gives us the possibility of renewal, transformation, understanding, and actionable decision-making. We do not need proof or a sign to take a particular path in life, if we have faith in God’s timing-even when we do not fully understand the sacred journey. As we follow God, we always remember that God is a God of joy. As we realize God’s spirit working within us and around us, we grow in our relationship with God in following His will in discernment in our lives. God’s gift in our discernment can clear up the fog of agendas, lists, and ultimatums that show up in prayer as we seek proof that we are on the right path in life. We do not need a sign when we acknowledge our love for God as we know that things happen in God’s time, not in our time. In our discernment we take the path of where God is calling us in His promise of assurance and hope.
Discernment offers a general sense of God working in our lives. It does not tell us what to do…but it does indicate whether or not we are moving in the right direction on the deepest level of our being, and in this way, it enlightens our experiences, reinforces our decisions, and concretizes our desire to find God in all things.
Vincentians, it is important to remember that we should include God in our decision making. AMEN.
