For what will hopefully be a first of many entries to this blog, I thought I'd put down my thoughts. The Spirit of Discernment.
I first heard these words about 5 years ago, and as most stories go, didn't think much of it at the time. The idea of it came to me when contemplating about recent global issues, specifically, conflict between different types of people, violence and terrorism. Who is in the right? To whom does the Holy Land belong? Is it right for countries to occupy other countries in the name of humanity? Is it for humanity?
Whats the difference between peaceful and violent Christians, Budhists, Muslims and Hindus?
Its true that we are all brought up into the society that we are born into and that we have no control over that! So the most hard lined Muslim extremist, if born to Christian parents in a western country would have been a Christian. In the same way, a peaceful Budhist born in Thailand would probably been a violent Christian if born to hard lined Christians in Nigeria.
Needless to say, we have, for the most part, no say in what kind of society to which we will belong. Obviously this train of thought is not unique, and is often a significant contributing factor in the creation of atheists.
I believe God has put into every human being a Spirit of discernment, a knowledge between right and wrong, between good and evil. Regardless, of religion, nationality or society, we all possess this fundamental human attribute. Its up to us to see evil in existing societies and say no. Of course not always are we certain of the right thing to do. Personally, very rarely has this genuinely happened in my life, for the most part I've always known 'what the right thing to do' is. Having said that, there are lingering questions in my mind even now. But discernment has also been defined in the following way by www.vocations.ca:
Discernment is a process of prayerful reflection which leads a person or community to understanding of God's call at a given time or in particular circumstances of life. It involves listening to God in all the ways God communicates with us: in prayer, in the scriptures, through the Church and the world, in personal experience, and in other people.
Listening to God is something most of us rarely do, listening to what is right, is something we choose not to do.
