Day 6: Making Choices
Nature
Heartsong from Inner Music
By Madeleine Doherty (CD1 track 2)
Instrumental harp music based on Madeline's meditations. www.madeleinedoherty.ie
Shen Khar Venakhi from Crux Vocal Ensemble
By Crux Vocal Ensemble
Crux is a gathering of voices on the Atlantic fringe of Europe in the historic city of Dublin. www.cruxvocalensemble.com
No music playing
Day 6: Making Choices
‘I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,’ (Deuteronomy 30:19)
We all make very many decisions every day, some trivial, some very significant. The art of discernment helps us to make these choices more wisely. Ignatius gives us some powerful tools to help us recognise how the Holy Spirit is guiding us in this situation, what our deepest heart is prompting, and which choice is more likely to lead to an increase of faith, hope and love in the world. What is the more life-giving choice?
It is wisely said that ‘God draws and the devil drives’. If we feel pressured and driven in a situation, this may be a sign of destructive movements at work. When we experience a deep sense of peace and contentment (even, and especially, in stormy times), this suggests that the creative movements are guiding us.
I bring to mind the particular decision or choice I am facing right now and bring it to God in my prayer today.
The positive, life-giving movements in my heart will be drawn towards the more life-giving choice. The negative movements in my heart are likely to make me feel pressured. Which movements am I feeling?
Of the options open to me in this matter, which is most likely to add to the store of faith, hope and love in the world?
Please open the eyes of my heart to see where your Spirit is guiding me in this decision and lead me to the choice most in tune with your heart and mind. Give me the wisdom to let the best in me make the decision, and the courage to implement it in my life.
Lord, I come into your presence, drawn by your Holy Spirit, inspired by the life and teaching of your servant Ignatius and bringing before you my own intention in this special time of prayer (name your personal intention). Like Ignatius, I desire to know you more clearly, to follow you more nearly and to love you more dearly. Echoing his words and in the power of your Spirit, I dare to pray: Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; dispose of it according to your will. Give me only your love and grace. This is enough for me.’