"Discern" (Mark E. Thibodeaux)

TITLE: Discern: Listening for God's Whispers
AUTHOR: Mark E. Thibodeaux
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Loyola Press, 2024, (100 pages).
 

How do we listen to God? The Bible tells how Elijah could distinguish God's voice from the earthly elements of earthquake, wind, and fire? In a busy distraction-filled world, how do we discern God's leading? Based on the teachings of St Ignatius of Loyola, author Mark Thibodeaux leads us through the two key Ignatian themes: Consolation and Desolation. Consolation is feeling uplifted, peaceful, and connected to God. Desolation is a state of emptiness, restlessness, or inner turmoil. The way of discernment is the way of consolation over desolation. Each page comprises a subject to think, ponder, and pray about. Presented with a brief and concise description, the empty spaces let the subject percolate through our minds and encourage us to pray. We learn to distinguish listening to God versus listening to other voices of distraction. This requires fine-tuning our spiritual senses. It puts the being before the doing. Listening helps us detect the forces pulling us away or toward God. Each page shows us how to recognize the tensions between consolation and desolation. This includes questions to challenge ourselves. Discerning desolation are questions like: 

• Are we able to notice the two spirits within us?
• What things disrupt our peace of mind?
• What are some examples of holy distractions?
• What causes us to be listless and restless?
• What events cause us to question or doubt God?
• How much is fear driving our decision-making?
• What are the sins of omission that cause desolation in us?
• What pushes our buttons?
• .....

Some examples of consolation questions are:

• What helps us discern God's will?
• How do we regain perspective?
• What are some ways to resist desolation?
• How do we lay low during times of desolation?
• What is the most spiritually bold thing we have ever done?
• What are some events in the past that we can attribute to the Hand of God?
• Who brings objectivity to our perspective?
• What can we do regularly to tune down the volume of distractions and tune up our awareness of God's presence?
• ......

My Thoughts

Do not let the size of the book deceive our expectations. In fact, this little book packs a wallop for anyone facing periods of desolation, discouragement, or despair. Written like a mini-devotional, Thibodeaux gives us bit-size information about Ignatian spirituality. The purpose of spiritual discernment is three As of Awareness: Attenuation, Amplification, and Action. The first is Attenuation. We need to distinguish between forces of consolation versus those of desolation. Like housecleaning, this step aids us in knowing what to keep and what to throw out. Once we can do that, we attenuate or cast aside the things that hold us back from God. Things like world distractions or the temporal glitters of the world that mislead us. We cannot steer into peace and serenity as long as these things preoccupy our minds. Second, we look at the Amplification of the things toward consolation of the soul. This calls for courage to move forward in faith in the face of fear. The fruit of the Spirit are attributes to be amplified. We can enlist the help of mentors, friends, or spiritual guides to enable our orientation toward the things that matter to God. Finally, as we amplify our sensitivity toward God, we take Action to grow closer to God. This requires trust in God's timing and decision-making that honours God. 

All three As are different aspects of spiritual discernment. What I like about this book is the brevity and the space offered to us to ponder and to wonder. It is hoped that the simplicity of this book can enable readers to practice self-awareness, pray, and grow. Thibodeaux has managed to condense core aspects of Ignatian Spirituality into this book for practical use. That said, perhaps, this book might encourage more readers to comb the primary Ignatian texts for themselves.

Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ, is an acknowledged expert on prayer and discernment. For ten years, he served as the director for Jesuits in formation, and he is currently the pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the author of several books, including Reimagining the Ignatian Examen and Ignatian Discernment of Spirits for Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Care.

 
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Loyola Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.