Home
Blogs
Discernment as a Disposition of Generosity

Discernment as a Disposition of Generosity

Published by Eva K. Galvey

Discernment is a word often heard today. Most commonly used in relation to decision-making, discernment is generally understood to be the process of arriving at the best option. In its usual sense, the best option refers to the choice that is most likely to be sure one’s happiness, fulfillment, and success. This means being able to find the option where difficulties will be absent or at best minimal, almost nil.

In the Christian sense, however, discernment is more than just a method of arriving at the best decision. Even the understanding of what is a “best decision” takes on a different layer of meaning. In the Ignatian sense, discernment is about generosity.

It is about arriving at the choice where God can best be glorified, best be loved and served. Far from being about one’s self, one’s sense of happiness, fulfillment and success in Ignatian discernment is about promoting the kingdom of God. This is what David Fleming refers to when he paraphrases The First Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius:

“Our only desire and our choice should be this:
I want and choose what better leads
to God’s deepening his life in me.”

To arrive at this understanding of discernment as a disposition of generosity to God is a depth process, a spiritual journey. We need to experience God as not just real but personal, God truly present and acting in our life. God is recognized and experienced as deeply loving.

When God’s love is felt as overwhelmingly constant, unconditional and inexhaustible, a profound sense of gratitude that translates to generosity is evoked in us. Now overflowing with gratitude, the heart seeks to return goodness for goodness. The love of God we allow ourselves to receive enlarges our heart, making us more and more capable of returning greater love. God’s magnanimity, experienced and acknowledged over and over again, gradually allows us to put God first in our life. Pleasing God becomes our priority. Our choices begin to consistently consider God’s wishes and God’s desires. Our heart then becomes oriented to God’s desires. God’s desires thus become our desires as well.

Eva K. Galvey is a founding associate and former director of Emmaus.

This article was first published in “Formation in a Complex World” (Vol. 3. No. 1, July-Oct. 2012). Formation in a Complex Word was a series of brief articles featuring various perspectives on formation and psycho-spiritual integration by Emmaus Center.

Other Blogs

Formation, Deformation, Transformation

Life, it seems, brings experiences that form, deform, and transform us. Formation. We are formed as persons with unique characteristics, shaped by our unique histories and circumstances. Our faith teaches us that we are formed in original goodness, created by a Good Creator God

by Karel San Juan, SJ, PhD

Vows, Vocation and the “Me” Generation

To form men and women for others” Father Pedro Arrupe’s rallying call to Jesuit schools many years ago was mission-defining and resonant. It powerfully conveyed the essential ideals not just of Ignatian, but more importantly, of Christian education: service and commitment. However, one wonders whether “commitment” and “service” still hold currency today.

by Fr. Jordan J. Orbe, SJ

Psychological Assessment in Formation

Assessment is one of the challenging responsibilities of vocation and formation directors. Psychological evaluation has three primary goals: a) determine if the applicant or candidate is free from major psychopathological disturbance

by Francisca Gloria C. Bustamante

SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE IS DISCERNMENT

by Karel San Juan, SJ, PhD

Looking at Four Dimensions of Culture: A Formation Perspective

In the book Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind (McGraw-Hill, 1991), Geert Hofstede identifies two definitions of culture. One refers to civilization or a “refinement of the mind,” the results of which are education, works of art, literature, etc.

by Paz H. Baquiran, M.A.

Some Considerations in Doing Formation Work in Multicultural Communities

by Brother Raymond D. Callo, SDB and Francisca Gloria C. Bustamante

The Heart of Compassion

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.

by Fr. Jordan J. Orbe, S.J.

Ideals, Self-Ideal, and the Idealization of Self: Part 1

When we speak of ideals, we speak of being perfect or of something being in a perfect state. In our perceptions and conceptions, ideals are flawless, faultless, without defects. The perfect nature of ideals is very attractive. We are drawn to them, we desire to find ourselves in that perfect state that these ideals embody. They become the standards for which we aspire and endeavor.

by Eva K. Galvey

SUCCESSION PLANNING WITHIN MINISTRY

How often have we experienced anxiety over an impending change in leadership? Sometimes we face this when the head of the institution or of a particular ministry becomes unavailable without a ready replacement, creating a leadership vacuum.

by Marguerite Chow-Sy, M.B.A.

Come and be transformed on the Emmaus journey!

Are you searching for greater freedom, integration, and meaning? Do you sense a deep desire to serve others and spread hope?

Then come and embark on your own Emmaus journey. Be part of a community of individuals and groups who have experienced the grace of Emmaus.