While people may see the same thing, they interpret things differently. A person may see junk and old materials, while an artist may see a beautiful sculpture. A person may see an empty piece of land, while a real estate developer may see a profit when a mall is constructed on the land. A person may see an ordinary employee, while a good boss sees someone with the potential to be great someday.

The Gospel often challenges us to discern. What is discernment? To see God’s hand in every experience of life, in every event in life. During the time of Jesus, He lamented that people did not discern: We played a flute, you did not dance; we sang a dirge, but you did not mourn. John the Baptist, you did not recognize as a prophet, Jesus, you did not recognize as the Messiah. 

Three ways on how we can discern God’s ways in our lives:

1. Keep a Journal. At the end of the day, it is very helpful to have a quiet moment and write the events of the day in a journal. Perhaps when things happen because of the speed and because our minds were elsewhere or perhaps because of the emotion, we failed to experience God. When we do a journal though, we will see the hand of God in all events of our lives.
2. One Step at a Time. Technology has afforded us to do so many things at the same time, all in the name of productivity. Too often though, we do not think anymore, we do not reflect anymore. We just do things. Hence, we search for meaning and purpose. Plato once said, “An unreflected life is not worth living.”
3. “I am the Vine and you are the Branches.” It is very important to live in a state of grace. While none of us live perfect lives, there should exist the desire to put God in the center of our lives. St. John Bosco would always encourage his youth to go to Mass frequently and pray the Rosary. Otherwise, if one lives with sin, one sin would lead to another, and before the person knows it, he or she is far away from God.

If you look at the world today, there seems to be so much chaos and anxiety. Let us not forget that God is in control. We pray that we may see God’s hand in everything.