(LifeSiteNews) — With all the confusion going on in the Church and in the world today, it can be difficult to discern what’s right and wrong. Thankfully, Catholic tradition gives us guidelines on how to discern who and what to trust and which path we should take in life.
Father Chris Alar, MIC, who was on The John-Henry Westen Show last week to talk about the virtue of modesty, has returned to instruct us about discernment and how to make decisions that are in line with God’s will.
Father Alar quoted Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft, who gave seven areas to consult when discerning whether we should do or believe something: Scripture, Church teaching, human reason, circumstances, your conscience, your instincts, and prayer.
“If even one of those says ‘No,’ don’t do it,” he said. “If none of those say ‘No,’ then do it.”
St. Ignatius taught that “whenever you have to make a decision and you’re not sure, Church teaching is always the first place to start.”
“If the Church gives you Church teaching on things like contraception, abortion, you know you’re following God’s will,” Alar said.
Regarding our own conscience, Father Alar stressed that, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, we always have to follow our conscience, because “that’s how God judges you.”
“Thomas Aquinas said you must follow your conscience, even if it is in error,” he said.
“People get surprised by that,” he added. Alar stressed, however, that “we’re morally obligated to inform our conscience.”
“[If] my conscience … tells me it’s okay to promote gay marriage, or my conscience tells me it’s good to use contraception because I can’t have another child, well, you haven’t properly informed your conscience.”
Alar also highlighted the importance of silent, contemplative prayer when making an important decision.
“So when you go into adoration … remember, God can’t talk to us if we’re doing all the talking.”
“Take a picture of Jesus, take the divine mercy image and just gaze upon it,” he said. “‘Lord, I’m here. Your servant is listening.'”
When judging if a private revelation is legitimate, like a Marian apparition that has not been approved by the Church yet, you have to ask the same questions, Alar explained.
“Is it contrary to the teaching of the Church? Is it contrary to the Scriptures? Is it 100% commensurate with the Church fathers, with the Magisterium, with Scripture, with the saints?”
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