The art of discernment
While at the gym this morning I was listening to news broadcasts about such events as the violence in Yemen. This one news story caused me to ask many questions including:
I could continue this list of questions and soon I would have filled many pages. It is my responsibility to attempt to engage in the art of discernment.
If I look in the Oxford dictionary, discernment is defined as:
There are those who have often accused me of over thinking or over analyzing an issue or a concept. Yet I seem to be unable to force myself to accept a simple list of rules, which apply to any situation. For example, in this Christian season of Lent, I am invited to invited to consider what it might mean to more closely follow the example of Jesus
Discernment requires that if I am a Christian, I attempt to apply the teachings of Jesus to the situation in Yemen. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes and heart of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes and heart of the shopkeeper who is selling food and other necessities for more money than most refugees have. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes of refugee father, mother and children. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes of those deciding to sell or give weapons to Saudi Arabia.
Discernment does not insist that I have “the answer”. Discernment does require that I be open to the sometimes-painful process of attempting to articulate the questions, which need to be asked. It requires that I come to terms with and accept the limitations of my human wisdom.
I am reminded of living with those so-called “primitive” people who will kill an animal for food or use a plant for food. Yet before they eat or drink they give some back to Mother Nature as a sign of gratitude. It is with a deep sense of humility and gratitude that they accept the gifts from Mother Nature.
The art of discernment requires humility and a gratitude, which does not come naturally to this human. It requires that I suspend judgment and, yet, make decisions and act.
Written March 22, 2018
While at the gym this morning I was listening to news broadcasts about such events as the violence in Yemen. This one news story caused me to ask many questions including:
- Should we as a country – the United States – be providing weapons to Saudi Arabia, which are used against the people in Yemen?
- What would I be willing to do if I only had enough money to buy food for my family and myself the first few days of the month?
- Is it ethical for parents to have several children when they know that they may not be able to take care of them?
- If one is not having children in this situation is one participating in genocide?
- Why do some of us humans choose to make a monetary profit off of the hardship of others?
- Do the reforms, which the Saudi prince is instituting balance the violence that he supports or orders?
- What is my moral/ethical role as a United States citizen?
- What is my role as a moral/ethical citizen of the world/the universe?
I could continue this list of questions and soon I would have filled many pages. It is my responsibility to attempt to engage in the art of discernment.
If I look in the Oxford dictionary, discernment is defined as:
- The ability to judge well…
- (In Christian contexts) perception is the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding…
There are those who have often accused me of over thinking or over analyzing an issue or a concept. Yet I seem to be unable to force myself to accept a simple list of rules, which apply to any situation. For example, in this Christian season of Lent, I am invited to invited to consider what it might mean to more closely follow the example of Jesus
Discernment requires that if I am a Christian, I attempt to apply the teachings of Jesus to the situation in Yemen. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes and heart of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes and heart of the shopkeeper who is selling food and other necessities for more money than most refugees have. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes of refugee father, mother and children. I must attempt to put myself in the shoes of those deciding to sell or give weapons to Saudi Arabia.
Discernment does not insist that I have “the answer”. Discernment does require that I be open to the sometimes-painful process of attempting to articulate the questions, which need to be asked. It requires that I come to terms with and accept the limitations of my human wisdom.
I am reminded of living with those so-called “primitive” people who will kill an animal for food or use a plant for food. Yet before they eat or drink they give some back to Mother Nature as a sign of gratitude. It is with a deep sense of humility and gratitude that they accept the gifts from Mother Nature.
The art of discernment requires humility and a gratitude, which does not come naturally to this human. It requires that I suspend judgment and, yet, make decisions and act.
Written March 22, 2018
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