Where Am I Headed?

Scripture

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt 14:22-33)

Lk 9:51-56 “…Jesus resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem…”

Deut 30:15-20 “Here, then, I have today set before you life and…death…”

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace: To have and cultivate a discerning heart to know where I am headed.

Use the grace and the suggested scripture above to create your own prayer, or use the one below.

Loving God, we pray for the grace of a discerning heart to discover and live out your dream for us. May our hearts become our inner GPS to guide us in our daily choices. May all of our choices have only one goal in mind: to live with you now and forever (AMDG, for your greater glory). Amen.

Note: Ask for a volunteer to lead opening and closing prayers for the next meeting.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

What were some of your high and low points of the week?

III. Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed: laptop, CLC supply box (CLC journal booklets, instrumental music, candles, etc.).

Introduction

Make connection with last year’s meeting on vocation. Last year we explored the questions of vocation: what it means and some of the key aspects and questions. Tonight, we are going to explore another question, “Where am I headed?”

Exercise 1: Where am I Headed? (15 min.)

Invite members to pray with the question, “Where am I headed?” “Do I like the path I’m on?” The questions can be found in their journal booklets.

Take a few minutes to recognize God’s presence and ask God for help.
Draw the path (or other motif) you have been on since the beginning of college. What were some of the moments you felt closer to God? Distant from God?
What feelings and thoughts stir within you as you reflect upon those moments?
Imagine where you are now is point A. Do you have a point B (where you want to be)? If yes, what is it? Describe point B.
What were some of your feelings and thoughts about point B?

Sharing

Invite members to share.

Exercise 2: Discerning Heart

Invite members to take turns reading the article, “My Personal Vocation” below out loud or use the slideshow presentation of the article. We recommend that you discuss the article a paragraph at a time.

Discerning Heart: Choosing from My Being

What is Discernment?

Discernment comes from the Latin word discernere, which means to separate, distinguish, determine, or sort out. Discernment is “sifting through” our inner and outer experiences to determine their origin.

In the context of faith, discernment means a process of sifting through our inner and outer experiences or movements to determine their origin (from God or not) and making choices for the greater glory of God (A.M.D.G.). Ultimately, it means seeking God's will and responding to it.

Discussion Questions

Have you ever “sifted through” the choices to determine a better choice? For example, choosing one university vs. others? How did you know that it’s a better choice and come to the decision? Describe.

Two Levels of Discernment

There are two aspects or levels of discernment. First, it is about orientating ourselves toward God. Second, it is about making a particular choice A or choice B, as in choosing to major in Math or English, etc.

First level: My Orientation

There are three aspects of orientation. First, discernment flows from a growing personal relationship with God. God, who loves us, desires to share life with us and we want to share life with God. God dreams for each one of us to live fully and have an abundant life (Jn 10:10). We have the ability to discover and live out God’s dream for us.

Second, discernment is rooted in prayer and deep listening. In prayer, we pray for the grace of sentir, which is heart-felt experience of God. We want to deepen our unique “sense of God” and how God works in our lives. In addition, God instills an inner GPS in our hearts to navigate and identify which spirit is operating in our lives and to determine in which direction we are moving, either toward God or away from God.

Third, discernment is a particular way of being in touch with and attuned to God. It reveals a fundamental desire to connect with God and respond to God’s invitation. It is saying to God, “God, I want to love you and share my life with you.” We strive for interior freedom and to be open to where God’s spirit is leading us.

Discussion Questions

What/who has kept you grounded in faith and outlook in life to make choices? Describe.

Where am I Headed?

In discernment we are primarily dealing with the spiritual movements operating in our lives. For Ignatius, we have only two spiritual directions or movements. We either move toward God or away from God. These spiritual movements are called consolation or desolation.

How do we know whether we are headed toward God or away from God? What are the signs of consolation and desolation? Any experience that increases our faith, hope, and love for God, others and ourselves is considered consolation. Any experience that decreases our faith, hope, and love for God, others, and ourselves is considered desolation. Here are some of the main signs of desolation and consolation (adapted from Margaret Silf).

Discussion Questions

In looking at the list above, which ones have you experienced lately? Give examples.

Tools of Discernment

The best tool of discernment is the Ignatian Examen. It helps us to be attentive to God’s movements and directions in which we are moving.

Discussion Questions

Have you been praying with the Ignatian Examen lately. How do you find praying with it?

Listening Deeper

What has struck you as you have been listening to others share? Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?
How have you been feeling throughout this meeting? Comforted? Anxious? Curious?
Is there anything you would like to share after having heard other people share?

IV. Moving Forward (5 min.)

Wrap-Up: Thank members for their openness and participation.
Action: Invite members to pray with the question, “Where am I headed?” and discuss with his/her prayer partner.
Announcements:
- Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events
- Note: Looking ahead to meeting #4, “Three Vocation questions.” One of the questions is, “What does my community need from me?” We need to gather information from our community service placements or immersions.

V. Closing Prayer (5 min.)

Invite members to pray for one another… One suggestion: to pray for the person on his/her left. You (coordinator) may begin to set the tone. End with the prayer below:

I Have No Idea Where I Am Going

By Thomas Merton

“My Lord God I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

Amen.

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