Discerning God’s will

Abstract

The expression “discerning God’s will” has been quite a household word in spiritual and religious circles and, particularly so, since the Second Vatican Council. This is not because the Council issued any particular document about discernment. Its teaching, however, as deeply rooted in Revelation, Tradition and Scripture found particularly strong inspiration in Pope John XXIII’s charismatic call to the whole Church to “read the signs of the times.”2 The Council Fathers, taking to heart these prophetic words of the Lord, worked hard to discern what the Spirit of God was calling the Church to. The Vatican Council Constitutions and Decrees, being the benchmark against which to judge the reform of Catholic pastoral practice, are still urgently calling the Christian Community to shake off much dust gathered over the years and to strenuously commit to live and witness the vitality, freshness and joy of the Gospel.