“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” (Matthew 7:24)

It is not the one who listens and not the one who acts, but the one who listens and acts. The wise man discerns and acts upon discernment. Many of us act reactively and without consideration, just as many as those who fail to act, paralyzed by indecision. We do not want to be in either of those extremes.  To discern means to listen, consider, and judge fairly so that we may act correctly.

The more experience we have in proper discernment, the more we grow in knowledge toward understanding and, ultimately, wisdom. From this progression, we finally grow to recognize God, who is present among us, and learn to trust in his will for us. In this way, our lives are strengthened and fortified with a stable foundation so we may not waver under the earthly tremors of the world’s temptations.

Father André Guitton says of Saint Peter Julian Eymard: He listens to everyone, discerns in the light of the Holy Spirit, counsels with respect for the grace and the journey of each person. 

Like Father Eymard, we stay close to our Lord and go out into the world to do God’s will.  We commune with Christ Eucharistic. We invest time in friendship with the Holy Spirit and heed his promptings. And thus, we learn to act justly, trusting the will of the Father. After touching base with the One who loves us and listening to his words, we discern, and in his company, we go. May we be strengthened by his company. May he be our firm foundation.

Let us pray:

Lord, help us listen to your words and take them into our hearts. May our wisdom grow towards your wisdom so that we may discern and act as you would that you be glorified in all we do. Amen.