Learn/Discern
Having become aware, we move to learn, to deepen our understanding of an issue. We study, we listen to those who are affected, we share our thoughts, and we pray for clarity. What is ours to do? Where are we meant to take action and where are we meant to let go?
Resources
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
”
For Discernment
How do we discern what it is that God is calling us to do?
From the Leadership council of Women Religious: Transforming Grace, a collective discernment on “What is ours to do in this time?”
From the Office of Ignatian Spirituality: the Examen Prayer, a prayerful reflection on the ordinary events of the day in order to become aware of God’s Spirit speaking to us.
If we’re talking about politics, pray an Examination of Conscience: Loving Our Neighbors in the Public Square from the USCCB’s A Better Kind of Politics Program. Learn more about the program at Civilizeit.org.