The Discernment of Spirits and many other teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

SWR-12 – Rule 7 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Dec 18, 2020

Fr. Timothy Gallagher discusses Rule 7 of the Discernment of Spirits, highlighting the contrast between the good and bad spirit's touches. He explains Ignatius' metaphor of a drop of water on a sponge and a stone. Through captivating conference talks, Fr. Gallagher helps us discern if inspirations are from God or the enemy. He shares practical insights on listening to and following God's will.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Discernment of Spirits: Going from Good to Better or from Bad to Worse

01:51 • 14min

Exploring the Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits

15:57 • 3min

Discerning a Calling to Serve

19:12 • 9min

A Woman's Discernment Journey in Ministry

28:13 • 3min

Fr. Timothy Gallagher OMV

Episode 12 – Rule 7 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Gallagher provides teaching of Rule 7, which describes the classic discernment imagery of a drop of water on a sponge and the contrast of a drop of water hitting a stone regarding the good spirit’s workings and that of the enemy.

Seventh Rule.

The seventh: In those who proceed from good to better, the good angel touches such a soul sweetly, lightly and gently, as a drop of water that enters a sponge; and the bad touches it sharply and with noise and disquiet, as when the drop of waterfalls on a stone; and in those who proceed from bad to worse the above-said spirits touch in a contrary way; the cause of which is that the disposition of the soul is contrary or similar to the said angels; for when it is contrary, they enter with clamor and sensible disturbances, perceptibly; and when it is similar, they enter with silence, as in their own house through an open door. (335)

Through a series of compelling conference talks, Fr. Gallagher carefully breaks open St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Second Week Rules for Greater Discernment. This set of 8 “rules” (or guidelines) helps us to discern whether a seemingly good, noble, holy idea or feeling, often understood as a “spiritual consolation,” could be a working of the enemy intending to lead us astray. He shows how all of us can learn to listen to and follow God’s gentle leading in our daily lives.

For other episodes in this series, visit The Second Week Rules for the Discernment Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – DH Page.

This series is based on Spiritual Consolation by Fr. Timothy Gallagher.

You can find the book here.

Also, here are the 2 handouts mentioned by Fr. Gallagher in Talk 2:

Guidance for a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

For the PDF document:

Handout Number 1 – The Text of the 8 Rules of the Second Week
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/The_Text_of_the_Rules.pdf

Handout Number 2 – Examples – Discernment of Spirits – 2nd Week rules
https://www.discerninghearts.com/Gallagher/EXAMPLES-DISCERNMENT_OF_SPIRITS-SECOND_WEEK_RULES.pdf

For more from Fr. Gallagher on Discerning Hearts:

The Discernment of Spirits: The First Week Rules /w Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV

The Daily Prayer of Discernment: The Examen Prayer with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

The Discernment of God’s Will in Everyday Decisions with Fr. Timothy Gallager

The post SWR-12 – Rule 7 – The Second Week Rules for the Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to a Greater Discernment of Spirits with Fr. Timothy Gallagher appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.