Catholic students at Macquarie University in Sydney have spent two months discerning the spiritual gifts God may have given them and praying about how to use these gifts for others. Source: The Catholic Weekly.
According to St Augustine, “God created us without us: but he did not will to save us without us.” We can often wonder: What am I doing with my life? Where is God? Is he part of my life?
Wrestling with these questions and wondering about God’s plan for them, students from Macquarie University Catholic Chaplaincy recently completed the Called & Gifted Discernment Process.
After some initial formation and consideration of possible charisms, students of the process spent two months discerning one spiritual gift that God may have given them, and praying about how God is calling them to use it for others.
Reflecting on her experience, Natalia found herself wondering about the difference between her plan and God’s plan for her life.
Natalia said she had to seriously consider “what I believe I have to offer the world and what God truly wants me to give”.
Meeting with fellow participants fortnightly, Natalia contemplated the objective and concrete ways in which God has gifted her for the good of the Church and the world.
“God loves me so much that he has not only given me the gifts to fulfil my mission but has also placed this workshop in my path to redirect me and help me serve him more effectively,” Natalie said.
Kyle, also a Macquarie student, had been wondering whether he had a gift of writing.
Once he started the process, he knew he could not ignore God’s call to use his gifts.
“It’s like the [parable of the] talents; you have to start using this,” he said, but it’s not only about serving God and others; using our charisms also gives us life and joy.
“It’s a process of trying to figure out what are you good at, what do you enjoy, and most importantly what will make you happy.”
Since then, he has recognised that his discernment has had a lasting effect. “I am now doing a lot more writing and looking for opportunities to use it.”
The next Called & Gifted Discernment Process in the Sydney Archdiocese begins on February 25. Details: Go Make Disciples.
FULL STORY
An invitation to discover God’s call (By Sr Anastasia Reeves OP, The Catholic Weekly)
