Finnegan’s Discernment Journal

Last week, God spoke to me in a remarkably clear way.

My spiritual director had been encouraging me to spend more time just listening to God in prayer.

To me, this has got to be one of the most frustrating things that we hear as Christians. We listen, yet God never seems to say anything.

I brought this frustration to Jesus during my prayer time, asking him to; “Teach me to listen.”

After my request, when I looked up at the Eucharist this time, something was different. I was gazing at him and he was gazing back at me.

Without thoughts or words, Jesus and I shared that time together.

These are the special moments that I hold on to in seminary because prayer isn’t always so instantly rewarding. God chooses the proper time to give us consolation according to his providence.

Since we cannot know his divine will, we must always persevere in trust, following him wherever he leads.

“Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” – John 8:12

Finnegan Ritter is a member of St. John XXIII Catholic Parish and a Seminarian at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wisconsin.  St. Francis de Sales is a community of formation that prepares men for ordination to the ministerial priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church.  Finnegan has graciously offered to share his journey with us.  As time permits in his very busy college student schedule, he will share his experiences and his journey with us.  If you would like to share a message of encouragement to Finn, please send your message to St. John XXIII Parish, 1800 N Wisconsin St., Port Washington, WI, 53074, Attention: Allyson Olivier, Director of Communications and Stewardship, and we will be sure to forward it to him.