Chapter 7: Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Resistance (Rule 7)

St. Joan by George Bernard Shaw
envisage-contemplate or conceive of as a possibility or a desirable future event.

1.  Examine a past trial from God's perspective.  Looking back, what was the divine purpose in allowing it?  What did you learn or how did you grow?

2.  Consider how your natural powers: the ability to think, to choose, to call certain truths to mind and to envisage spiritual realities can assist in overcoming desolation.

3.  What trials are you able to resist more quickly and surely now than in the past?

4.  Take time this week to remember God's fidelity as He worked in your life, perhaps journaling or creating a spiritual time line of key moments in your spiritual journey.  Look back on it when you forget.

Chapter 6: Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Initiative (Rule 6)

1.  What helps you bear situations of suffering (crosses) on a physical and/or emotional level?

2.  Share an example of a time when prayer/meditation in a time of desolation brought you to a time of consolation.

3.  If you experience spiritual discouragement or desolation this week, try to pinpoint the source through examination.

4.  As we approach Lent, consider what forms of penance have born the most fruit for your spiritual life.  Any creative resolutions after reading Fr. Gallagher's examples?

Chapter 5: Spiritual Desolation: A Time for Fidelity (Rule 5)

1.  What spiritual practices has discouragement led you to give up?

2.  What helps you to be firm and constant in your resolutions to grow spiritually?

3.  Why is fidelity during desolation so important?

4.  How might this norm be applied to our relationship with others?

Chapter 4: Spiritual Desolation (Rule 4)

1.  Reflect on a time of spiritual desolation that was ultimately encouraging.

2.  How does a clear understanding of spiritual desolation diminish its power to dishearten us?

3.  What physical or psychological challenges tend to be your springboards to spiritual desolation?  What practical steps can you take to lessen or eliminate their effect?

4.  Be aware of occasions of spiritual desolation throughout your week.  How do these instances effect your relationship with God?

Chapter 3: Spiritual Consolation (Rule 3)

1.  Share an experience when a non-spiritual consolation provided a springboard for a spiritual consolation. 

2.  What attractions (page 53) made it difficult to give yourself wholly to God?  How are these "created things" now integrated into your response to God's call?

3.  What consolation(s) have you been given through the gift of tears?

4.  Try to be aware and identify spiritual consolations each day this week.  How does this impact your relationship with God?

Chapter 2: When a Person Moves toward God (Rule 2)

1.  Consider the evil spirits tactics "to bite, sadden and place obstacles, disquieting with false reason."  Reflect on a time when one of these techniques was working against your spiritual progress.  How did you respond?

2.  Now consider the good spirits methods "to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations and quiet, easing and taking away all obstacles."  Reflect on the application in your own life.

3.  Share an experience in which you received the gift of spiritual clarity.

4.  When have you come a seemingly insurmountable obstacle?  Looking back, how was God's grace present?

Chapter 1: When a Person Moves Away from God (Rule 1)

Definition
inimical-adverse in tendency or effect

Other
Text of the poem Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson

Discussion
1.  What resolution have you been prompted to make, but not yet made?  What is holding you back?

2.  Share an example where you anticipated, prepared for and successfully overcame adversity.

3.  How do you guard yourself and your family's imagination against the "culture of the image" that we live in?

4.  What people or influences have been essential in moving you toward the will of God?