Thank you for joining us here at Resurrection Parish. This is the second week of our very short message series, “The Life of St. Paul.” As I mentioned last weekend, this is only going to be a three week series, and we are focusing on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, which our second readings have been coming from. We noted last week, that St. Paul had not yet been to Rome, but there were already a Christian community there. St. Paul’s letter is one of introduction and an invitation for the Roman Christians to join him in his ministry when he arrives.

We also noted last weekend, that there was a pastoral reason for St. Paul’s visit. There was a division and rivalry among the Christians in Rome, some of whom were of Jewish background while others were of Gentile background. Each group was trying to say why they thought they were God’s favorite. St. Paul reminds the Christians in Rome that all of us have been disobedient to God, and God has shown His mercy on all of us. Neither group is better than the other.

Today’s second reading picks up right where we left off last week. St. Paul has burst into a song of praise. Paul marvels at the genius and generosity of God that shines through the “mystery” revealed and the “mercy” promised to all. In this hymn of praise, St. Paul asks two questions, “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given him anything that he may be repaid?” (Rom 11:34–35). Of course the answer to both questions is “no one.” God is transcendent in knowledge over all his creatures, and he is in debt to none of them. Everything the human person knows and possesses has been freely and bountifully given from above.

While we know this to be true in our heads, sometimes we do not always live it in our hearts. Recalling my time in the seminary, there were some guys who certainly acted as if they KNEW the mind of the Lord, and they were not afraid to tell you. If we are really honest with ourselves, I think all of us can think of times when we have acted as if knew the mind of the Lord, or that we knew better than God. Maybe we excuse ourselves by saying, “God won’t mind if I tell this little, white lie” or “so I am taking a deduction that I don’t really deserve, it isn’t going to hurt anyone.” Really anytime that we choose to sin, we are saying that we know the mind of the Lord, or that we know better than God.

There is another way that we can act as if we know the mind of the Lord. There is a scene in one of my favorite movies, Return to Me, which captures it. One of the main characters is crying to her best friend because she has gotten some shocking news – don’t worry, I am not going to spoil it for you by telling you what – and she cries out, “What was God thinking?” I know that I have felt that way at times in my life when I have gotten some shocking news, or faced some unexpected challenge. How about you? I am sure that many of us have been asking, “what was God thinking” during the current pandemic.

There is a certain paradox in the human situation. God gave us minds, and it is our duty to use those minds to think to the very limit of human thought. And God does want to share with us some of what He has in mind, after all that is what Divine Revelation is all about. God loves us so much that through Salvation History His Holy Spirit has inspired various people to write what is in the mind of God – that is what the Bible is, God revealing Himself. The ultimate way that God has made His mind know is through Jesus, His only begotten son. God continues to reveal Himself to us through our prayers, so that we can know how best we can love Him and our neighbors in the circumstances that we face. 

How do we know when God is revealing His mind, His will to us, and that it is not just our own pride thinking we know the mind of God? We call this process discernment of spirits, and from the fruitfulness of its long history, the Church gives us some useful advice on how to discern God’s will. First, as a way of making sure it is not our pride talking, it is always good to talk to at least one other person about the situation. It was not one person who decided which books to put in the Bible; rather the Church – the community of believers – discerned it over time. Maybe it will be a spiritual director, or just a good friend who shares your faith, but talk with them about what it is you are trying to discern. This is another reason it is a great idea to join a small, faith-sharing group – ours will be starting up again in about two weeks.

After hearing the wisdom of another, you should set aside some time for solitude. I always recommend that people set aside a space in their home for this; maybe a comfortable chair with the Bible in reach, a cross or religious icon to look at. Invite God into your solitude, into your thoughts and feelings.

Then lay all the facts on the table. What do you know for sure about the situation you are praying about. Be honest and tell God what your deepest desires and fears are in this situation is.

Then let God speak to you. Most of us don't actually hear a voice when God speaks to us. However, pay attention closely to the ways that God is speaking to you. What kinds of thoughts, feelings (especially love, joy, and peace, or a lack thereof), and memories might God be stirring within you to help you make your decision? What Scripture story or saint's life comes to mind that might enlighten your decision? Find the passage or story and prayerfully read it. It is important to remind ourselves that God does have a plan for us. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you … plans to give you hope and a future.” Next pray to do God’s will. This can at times be very difficult, but pray the words, “thy will be done.” 

Now comes the really hard part: wait. If circumstances allow, wait before making your decision. Continue to pay attention to your feelings to see which direction you are being drawn to.

Finally there will come a point when you will need to act. Knowing that you have sought God's will, set forth to do the loving thing.

Discernment is ongoing. After you make a decision, prayerfully evaluate it. If the fruits (outcomes) of your decision—your words, actions, and behaviors—are good, then it is a good indication that the decision you made is good. If the fruits are “rotten,” then that is a good indication that you may need to alter your course. True discernment results in good fruit (even if it's something we wouldn't normally pick out for ourselves).

Having said all that about the discernment of spirits, it is also true that there are times when the limit of human thought is reached, and all that is left is to accept and to adore. God’s designs are infinitely beyond our understanding, yet all of them are firmly rooted in God’s love for us. We should always approach God’s designs in the spirit of humility.

This week identify something happening in your life right now that doesn’t seem to make any sense, and try applying the steps for the discernment of spirits. Acknowledge God’s love for you, and then pray as Jesus did, “into your hands I commend my spirit.”