How to discern God's will for your life - like Francis did!

"Where I Am, there will my servant be," Jesus said. The disciples follow their teacher and servants are ever ready to do whatever their Master indicates He wants done, always ready to respond to His directions and execute His will. For both disciples and servants, hearing, understanding and executing their Lord's will is their primary purpose in life. What is your primary purpose in life in regards to Jesus the Lord, our Beloved teacher?

Our father Francis had become a very devout man since he had begun to seek God earnestly. Several years into his whole-hearted journey to God, seeing his sincere fervor, total commitment and resolve to know, follow and serve Christ, there were some in Assisi who, considering his constant cheerful demeanor, his gentle and compassionate manner and his holy humility were touched to, in their turn, seek to follow his example and seek Christ more earnestly.

One of these individuals (and the first to follow Francis) was Bernard of Quintavilla - a knight and noble man of the town. After testing Francis one night and seeing evident signs of holiness and the Divine presence in his life, he resolved to follow Francis in the way God had shown to Francis. He told Francis what he wanted to do and Francis responded by saying:

"What you speak of brother Bernard is something so great and wondrous that on it we ought to seek counsel from our Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to show us His will in it and teach us how we can put it into practice. So, let us go to the Bishop's or to some good priest, and we will have him say Mass. Then we will remain in prayer until Tierce, asking God to show us on a threefold opening of the Missal what it pleases Him to have us choose."

Brother Bernard wanted to do something that Francis describes as being 'great and wondrous'. But what was Bernard actually asking to do that he wasn't already doing since all he wanted was . . . to follow God? Francis and Bernard were devout men - good Catholics - who sought to live holy lives, faithful to Christ and the Gospel. Like most of us, weren't they already following God? The only thing that was different was that they wanted to follow God FULLY, PERFECTLY and COMPLETELY.

It should be noted that though Francis had 'taken refuge in Holy Mother Church' he was still a layman. Only a number of years later did he become a Deacon (a position a layman can assume in the Church). Brother Bernard also never went beyond being a brother - without the holy orders of the priesthood. Thus both men were no different than us - just laymen - except that they took on the mantle of the religious life - taking vows like all religious instead of making 'promises' like lay-Franciscan's do.

I heard a wise man say that, "The beginning of all Wisdom is to know that you know nothing at all!" Francis described himself as a 'simple and ignorant man'. He knew some things - more things than many of us, especially about the spiritual life - yet he realized he didn't know nearly enough (almost nothing) as he needed to know to always please God! His self-knowledge affirmed Francis' humility and 'God's ear is always open to the cry of the humble!'

A person who is proud doesn't want anyone to tell him anything because he feels he knows everything already (and thinks he probably knows it better than most everyone!) A humble person realizes how ignorant and simple he is and is anxious to get instruction, direction and advice from anyone, thinking they probably know more than him! The man of God lives according to God's will and seeks it. "Seek first the Kingdom of God . . ." , Jesus said. In other words, seek God's rule (will) in your life.

Since this spiritual and holy endeavor was so great and wondrous who better to ask how to proceed than God Himself?! As noted above Francis said, "we ought to seek counsel from our Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him." Jesus, ever loving and tender toward us, is always anxious to help us do the right thing and go the right way and Francis knew this. Approaching God sincerely and humbly was sure to bring the answer they sought. Francis had no doubts about this and so speaks with simple trust about the matter.

Francis trusted holy Mother Church. He knew it contained the spiritual treasures of God. He knew that, during the Mass, one could actually see, address and interact with God Himself - Christ present in the Eucharist. He also knew that God's word - contained in Holy Scripture - was read and explained by the priest and always available for a person to read in the Church. The way to determine God's will is found in the Church, through the Church - the protector of the faith and guardian of the Gospel.

Therefore, the way to determine the will of God would be found in the holy spiritual tools of God found in the Church. First, the Mass (in which their minds and hearts would be purified and elevated to the Divine). Then intense internal personal prayer - making clear to themselves and to God what their intention was (- to please and serve God Almighty) and begging God to reveal His Divine will. Finally, with minds sharp, spirits enlivened, hearts purified and renewed - the Gospel of the Lord, the Light of God, the very Word (and words) of God to make the path they should choose clear and plain.

Francis wanted God to tell them two things: what He wanted them to do and how He wanted them to do it. Do we, really, want God to tell us what He wants us to do? Some people want God to remain quiet or to only tell them to do what they already want and are already trying to do! Francis and brother Bernard were totally committed to fulfilling God's will and pleasing only Him. We also, if we want God to reveal His will in our lives, must be prepared to accept and do whatever He asks of us.

Learning from Francis' words and examples we can discern God's will by doing the following things. First, spend a good amount of time in Church, praying and meditating and worshiping Christ in the celebration of the Mass and by focusing on His presence in the Eucharist. Secondly, spend a good amount of time in both solitary and communal prayer. Remember, besides Bernard's prayers, they would've asked the priest or bishop to pray as well! Finally, it can be discerned in reading scripture, understanding it and applying it to our life.

It should be noted that Francis and Bernard were trying to discern what God wanted THEM to do - how He wanted them to live. It was only later when others had joined them, that they realized they must take what they had discerned to the Church leadership - the Pope himself - for consideration and approval. The final and certifiable way to determine God's will is to seek the understanding, the prayers and discernment of those God has placed in positions of authority in the Church as well as those whose wisdom (based on scripture and the traditions of the Church) and holiness are well known in the community and in the Church.

Paul said, "No scripture is of private interpretation." In other words, all scripture applies to all people, all Christian's, and it's meaning is applicable in the most general sense. In other words, the primary interpretation is practical, reasonable - 'common sense'. Though there are rare circumstances when God tells a person to do something extraordinary those cases are RARE and usually given to people who have a calling, a ministry and work, that EVERYONE recognizes, over time, is SPECIAL, unique. Be sure that God will never ask you to sin, do something contrary to scripture or something in defiance of the Church, etc. God gave us all 'common sense' and expects us to use it.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we want to know and do Your will. We ask that, day by day, you reveal Your will to us. You said, "Step by step as you go, I will lead you." We believe You and Your promises to us. We know that by seeking Your will first "all other things will be given" to us as You promised. There is nothing more wonderful, more rewarding, exciting, fun and interesting than knowing You and doing Your will. Help us to seek You in Your churches, during the Mass and in the Eucharist, through personal and communal prayer and also through reading and meditating on Your Word. Through these means we know we can come to know You and know Your will for our lives - for every day of our life. We commit ourselves, our needs, our hopes and dreams into Your hands. Your will be done and Your name be exalted and glorified forever! Amen.