Always Discerning: An Ignatian Spirituality for the New Millennium

by Joseph A. Tetlow, Timothy M. Dolan (Foreword)

2017 Catholic Press Association Book Awards, First Soft Cover Pope Francis has explicitly and repeatedly stated that discernment is essential for anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ. But what, exactly, is discernment? Why must we do it? When do we do it? How should we do it?

In Always Discerning, Joseph A. Tetlow, SJ, delves thoughtfully into these questions and shares how lay Christians can implement discernment into not only life’s big decisions but also into the everyday, more mundane choices we constantly find ourselves having to make. Guided by Scripture, Pope Francis’s own words, and Ignatian spirituality, Fr. Tetlow helps us see that the dynamic interrelationship of head, heart, and hands is crucial to the discernment process. Ultimately, Always Discerning provides a powerful and highly practical way for the “people of God” to pray in the new millennium, while teaching us how to recognize God’s will in every area of our lives and respond to it in joy and love.

Genres: Spirituality, Catholic

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[Noueman Maalouf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful to use. Here are some ideas:

- To overcome the trap of a self-centered mindset, he suggested the prayer of consideration—praying for others. In that way, we connect; the "I" will become "we". We achieve fulfillment when we break down walls and our hearts are filled with faces and names!

- Discernment is a journey; it is a day-to-day exercise. I do not stop after making a decision.

- Indications of desolation: every word that I use starts with "dis": disinterest, distress, distraction, disaffection, disgust... Feeling bitter, convinced I am not enough, that I do not do enough. Negative self-image.

- Consolation sometimes comes in the shape of a concrete decision.

[Pam Cipkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joseph Tetlow’s Making Choices in Christ has long been what I consider one of the seminal works on what it means to know Christ through Ignatian spirituality. So I very much looked forward to this new volume of his, which focuses on the idea of discernment. Discernment involves understanding and comprehending the interior movements in your heart to recognize what God truly desires for us. Discernment plays an important role in everyday decision making. In this particular work, Tetlow presents a contemporary view of what it means to be discerning in today’s world, citing liberally from Pope Francis’s writings (the pope himself being a practitioner of Ignatian spirituality). Discernment is something the learned disciple comes to embrace throughout his life, Tetlow explains. “...as God comes to us when we are baptized, so God waits to come to us when we are older. Grace comes not only once in baptism, but again and again throughout life.” While I enjoyed the book, I did find that it wandered in places for me, and didn’t seem altogether cohesive. In order to best comprehend some of the principles in this work, one should have a good understanding already of Ignitian spirituality. If you are new to the concept, I highly recommend starting off with Tetlow’s aforementioned Making Choices in Christ.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent; of course, since it was written by someone “hailed as a world authority on Ignatian spirituality” it would be. But it’s not a heavy, textbook read. It made so much sense. I was taking pictures of the text and sending them to my friends and posting them on social media as I read. It is a very accessible book. I often feel like I am “always discerning” and it can get overwhelming and tiresome, not only for my brain, but possibly others, if you know what I mean. Which you do if you are also “always discerning.”
The topics covered range from discerning in a Christian way, the great discernments in our life, why discernment is good, desolation and consolation in relation to discernment, gratitude and putting it all together. Each part has 4 to 6 short chapters, a section called “Touchstones” at the end of each part and a beef excerpt of a talk, homily or letter (usually, but not always) from Pope Francis. Fr. Tetlow also begins each chapter with a quote from Pope Francis. A feature of the book format I loved are the callouts, highlighting a key point on various pages.

[Paul Bickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and wonderful explanation of what it means to be a mature, discerning catholic. Only complaint is his use of anecdotes was not well integrated or executed. That said, if you are a practicing catholic, or might be one day, this is a must read.

[Greg Stratman · Rating 3 out of 5]

“[S]uffering is not a problem to be solved, . . . . It is a mystery to be lived.”

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and will return to it often. For me the sections on desolations and consolations were the most insightful.