Good discernment creates a virtuous circle in our daily lives, suggested Pope Francis this December 7 as he continued his catechesis series on how to hear God’s voice in the midst of the many voices of the world.
“Decisions wisely discerned give rise to lasting peace,” he said. Only God is the lord of time, and acting in his will gives a peace that endures through time.
Pope Francis gave as an example the decision to dedicate 3o more minutes to prayer. Afterward, he imagined, I realize that the other moments of my day are also better: I am more serene, less anxious, I do my work with greater care and enjoyment, even relationships with difficult people become easier.
All of these, he said, are signs that you’ve discerned correctly.
“The spiritual life is ‘circular,'” he explained, and the goodness of one choice benefits all the other areas of life. “Because it is a participation in the creativity of God.”