Discernment Series Part 2 - What Brings You Joy?

Our discernment series began with an invitation to set aside 15 minutes for reflection and prayer. After looking back to begin noticing some of the ways in which God was present in decisions up until this point, we now start to look to the future.

In the next three sessions, we will spend some time with Fr. Michael Himes of the Boston College Department of Theology. He offers us three key questions around which to focus vocational discernment. The first of these questions is: What brings you Joy?

Click the image below to play the clip. Push past the high quality of the video’s graphics- it is worth the commitment. This section goes until 11:11. 

Reflection: In this video Fr. Himes makes a distinction between joy, happiness, and satisfaction. Can you list some moments that would fall under each of these categories?

In discernment, we want to hone in on those things that bring us joy.  Here are some questions that might be helpful:

What are questions and issues I find myself constantly coming back to? What fascinates, excites, and puzzles my imagination?

In what situations are my passions most alive? Are there moments when I catch myself thinking, “I feel alive/ generous/ most myself right now”?

How would my family or close friends answer these questions about me?

"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” (John 15:10-12)

Like this? Check out Part Three - What are You Good at?