The Key to Discernment

Who would have thought algebra and data could be the key to discernment?

Fr. Mike explains that the discernment journey isn’t always about having this epiphany moment where your life’s purpose immediately becomes clear to you.

Figuring out what God’s will is for you sometimes requires a step-by-step process where you gather data, so you can come closer to the answer you’re looking for.

That’s how Fr. Mike found his vocation as a priest.

It required a lot prayer, time in adoration, talking with others, and visits to seminaries. Only once he gathered enough data to be able to “solve for x” was he certain that the priesthood was the right choice.

Fr. Mike is also a presenter in these faith formation programs from Ascension:

Get 18 of Fr. Mike’s best Ascension Presents videos in this exclusive DVD from Ascension:

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SOCIAL MEDIA

[ZachGonringVlogs]

"Going full send into the priesthood"
- Fr. Mike Schmitz, 2019

[eaglesguy]

Im not Catholic but I love your videos they give me hope and knowledge.

[metalbornmetalbred]

I am 100% certain of my calling to become a Franciscan Brother. I am visiting the Franciscans in Chicago and Milwaukee for the first time in around 2 weeks from now. So excited!

[Emilycwats]

Great video Father. Your videos helped me start the conversion to Catholicism

[davidlcole]

Thank you father! I’ve been aching to learn my discernment for the remainder of my life. Your algebra analogy was like….ok. Yea. More time and prayer.

[XoScottXo]

So I asked my parish priest last night. “How do I know if the Lord is calling me to be a deacon or if it is just my thoughts?”
And what Father Mike just said is exactly what he said. He told me to detach from my family life and from work. Go on a retreat. And pray on it. I trust in him. He is a wonderful priest. This is now 2 priests that have essentially said the same thing.
Looks like I’ll be going on a retreat. Please pray for me.
Thank Father Andy and Father Mike for your guidance.
God bless them. And God bless all of you. ✝️🙏🕊️

[Memetchi]

I agree with you, Fr. Mike. If you don't get any answers I think there could be two options. The first one is that that's not the pefect God's time; sometimes God makes us waiting in order to prepare us. The second option is a barred Heart; you will be ready to discover your true vocation only when you stop thinking on your own, only when you decide to put truly your Heart in God's hand, without expecting anything. I'm Sorry for my poor English ...greetings from Italy.

[Catholico]

Wow! A video about discernment!?! What a great way to start a year...
Besides, Happy 2019 Fr. Mike and Everyone who are reading this! :)

[CarSagan]

I like your "getting more data" analogy to solve the problem of vocation.

[ryandio]

This came at the perfect time, thank you Father Mike

[jellojenna]

This was helpful. Now I don't feel so rushed to find out my vocation and why I haven't figured it out yet. As someone who likes math, I enjoyed the "solving for X" metaphor.

[PaoloBalioVEVO]

From all the videos I watched for discerning, this video is my brain blast. 💯

[tellez]

Ah such perfect timing!! I’m currently discerning the religious life, was actually looking at different contemplative orders just last night! Thank you Fr. Mike for your advice, i’ll definitely keep this in mind as I journey on:)

[maroxesen]

This is actually KEY INFORMATION for discernment. Considering translating the video to Polish to send it to some of my friends. Thank you so much for putting it so well :D

[ifeomaoluhara]

Really love the use of the analogy with 'algebra'. Finding other variables can lead to the final answer. Thank u so much Fr Mike! U r blessed.

[mariekevandenhove]

wow you gave me an other piece of the puzzle of my vocation!(I'm sorry if my English is bad, I'm from Belgium XD) but I was always thinking that listing to people's vocation stories would bring me nowhere cause every story is unique, but now I understand that I am collecting data :) and actually I know what my vocation is at the moment. I'm not ready for Marriage or being a nun (I'm 17 by the way) but I'm a daughter of the Lord and that's my vocation at the moment: to be and behave as a daughter of the Lord! From Belgium, me and my friends think you're amazing Fr. Mike!!!

[virgochick]

This was so helpful. I feel like I wasted time in a relationship I just got out of, but this really helped me know that I needed it to help me gather more data. 🙏

[josegonzalez-phht]

I think it’s so funny how I can relate to this so much

[niceatrya]

For the past few years I have been questioning my faith. By questioning my faith, I mean I have not been a regular church goer since my confirmation some 25 years ago. I have recently seen a spark in the distance of my life regarding my faith and wondered what it was. Were my eyes deceiving me in seeing something that was not there? Without prejudice or bias I have started down the path of my own spiritual journey to learn the nature of that spark. I have left out no source in my quest to find this truth. Both plaintiff and defendant have I followed diligently in arguments. I have researched and listened to evidence of scientific, religious, and philosophical nature. The next spark I saw in the distance was much brighter. It provided me with the solid evidence I was looking for that the light I first saw was real, and that I must now learn the nature of this light in all that it means. This spark came in the form of hearing evidence presented from the scientific community that our universe is so finely tuned that for it to exist at all, "dark energy" is calculated down to a zero, followed by 126 decimal places. Even being a few decimal places off, our universe could not exist. When scientists were presented with this data, which implied the existence of intelligent design, they swiftly created a fallacious argument of "moving the goal posts" by stating that our universe must be one of an infinite number of universes, and we just happen to live in it. I am still at the foothills of my journey of a mountain which peaks I cannot see. I worry not about the near endless mountain ahead of me. But rather, I take comfort in the next step before me in learning the truth of God, and all that is holy.

[stephaniecaranica]

Thanks Fr. Mike! I’m one of those stressed out people who emailed you :). This was very helpful. I definitely feel like it takes a lot of pressure off when you look at it as getting more data because that’s more manageable than expecting the whole answer to you life calling in one visit/date/conversation. Thank you.