Discernment: Faced with Something Beyond Oneself

Today’s first reading, 1 Samuel 17: 32-33, 37, 40-51,  presents us with the battle between David and Goliath, the Philistine.  Saul challenges David, saying, in effect: “Who do you think you are going against this Philistine. You are a mere youth while this guy has been a warrior since his youth. You cannot do what you plan to do. It will not work!”  David does not flinch.  “The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe” from the claws of this Philistine.  Saul’s response: “Go! The Lord is with you.”

How often do we not face the same opposition David faced when we share a decision we have made about our vocation in life or some other weighty decision. The negatives might sound just like the ones above: “You, a priest/a religious? No way. You don’t have what it takes to be a priest or a religious!” Is that not the same kind of rhetoric Saul used with David: You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth…” “You don’t have what it takes!”

Beware of the opposition but know that if, in prayerful discernment, you know that are being called to religious life or priesthood or to marry this person or that, or to remain single, that God is with you!  God not only is persistent in His call, He goes with you and equips you for the task!