Discerning between trials
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
In the discussion leading up to the First Sunday of Lent, my missal discussed Para. 2847 of the CCC* which is very interesting. “The Holy Spirit allows us to discern between trials, which are necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. We must also discern between being tempted and consenting to temptation. Finally, discernment unmasks the lie of temptation, whose object appears to be good, a "delight to the eyes" and desirable, when in reality its fruit is death.
God does not want to impose the good, but wants free beings. . . . There is a certain usefulness to temptation. No one but God knows what our soul has received from him, not even we ourselves. But temptation reveals it in order to teach us to know ourselves, and in this way we discover our evil inclinations and are obliged to give thanks for the goods that temptation has revealed to us.”
Temptation leads us into darker paths: sin. Discernment, if practiced carefully allows us to see what we should do. Always listen to the Holy Spirit. Do not give into the temptation, but obey the Lord and fight temptation. God wants us to be free. “Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1 NABRE)
The Spiritual life is a beautiful thing, but we have to work at it. The internet has become an open cesspool of temptation, beware that you do not become its latest victim. Attend Holy Mass when you should, and more often when you can. Keep praying, particularly the Holy Rosary. Franciscans should pray the Liturgy of the Hours, with attention and devotion.
Lent is a good time to practice discernment, and to fight temptation. I pray that your Lenten Season will bring you closer to the Lord.
Peace and Good,
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
* Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1997.