Step 4 of the Ignatian method of discerning God’s will is
to pray from the bottom of your heart for the grace of enlightenment. In this
step you are asking the Holy Spirit to turn the light on within your mind—“let
me see, Lord, what it is that you are asking of me. Move me out of darkness
into the light of knowing what your will is for me.” In the same token you are
asking for the strength to do that which God is asking of you. Source: Discernment
of Spirits by Warren Sazama, SJ, National Religious Vocation Conference,
Chicago, IL 60615.
The very fact that we
seek enlightenment means that we realize that our minds have been darkened by
the Fall of Adam and Eve. We have all inherited a dullness that clouds our
thinking. The removal of these spiritual “cataracts” is not possible if we do
not even recognize the fact that “cataracts” are clouding our vision. That recognition requires humility modeled by
Mary, Joseph, Peter, Mary of Magdala and all of those who were recipients of
Jesus’ healing ministry in the NT Scriptures.
We do not seek “enlightenment,” “openness,” “light,” or help in any way
if we do not recognize our need for an intervention. If, in truth, we are going
to discern God’s holy will, we need the Holy Spirit to break into our minds
with the light of Christ. What blocks me
from seeking the Wisdom of the Spirit, the Enlightenment of God?
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