Peter,
The last time I had someone tell me about God's Plan it was the then bishop now Mr. Schofield. Once biten, twice shy and all that don't 'cha know.

Discernment, for me, consists of weighing the potential position, decision, action, etc. against Scripture, Tradition, and Reason -- all in the context of prayer. Then checking this out with "the Body" - the Christian community - either in a small group, with a spiritual director I respect, etc. Even then, one can never be absolutely sure of God's "plan" (which I prefer to see as God's "yearning.") But...we live by faith!

Whenever I hear a politician or a celebrity declare his/her career path is patently "God's plan," I cringe. It's a bit of an eerie coincidence that "God's plan" and the drives of egos conflate so neatly these days, especially when it comes to attaining and maintaining power, wealth and prestige. How opposite that is from the plan God revealed in Christ Jesus, where ego, power, wealth and prestige are the last things worth being the object of our pursuit. So why this contradiction? Have God's priorities, and thus his plan, changed from what Jesus announced as gospel -- or is claiming "God's plan" for one's political ambitions just a cover for self-delusion, self-justification and self-aggrandizement? Alas, the answer to that question lies in a Christianity that is far more self-critical that what is common in America nowadays, where "loving mercy and walking humbly" (Micah 6:8) don't seem very much in vogue.

Thank you, Bishop Epting. The "plan" v. "yearning" distinction is very helpful to me.

God's Plan, in so far as the Church can claim to know it, seems to have little to do with elections (or ball games) and a lot to do with amendment of life in the direction of healing the world. To be sure, some candidates come forward claiming to be aiming a healing the world and, insofar as that claim, when spelled out, conforms with the laws of love, we might feel obliged to vote for that candidate. Unfortunately, the fact that he is a candidate suggests that he has another agenda, which involves the antithesis: power. prestige, wealth, what have you (or want to have). Mentioning no names.

God's Plan for Ms. O'Donnell doesn't seem to include grammar lessons, you know?

God's Plan, in so far as the Church can claim to know it, seems to have little to do with ... ball games

...except for this year when, as I indicated several threads below, God's Plan is for the winning of ballgames by the team from the City of St. Francis (GO GIANTS!!!!)

Seriously: if one sees a plan for one's self that doesn't involve painful time on The Cross, it's probably not from God. Unfortunately.

JC Fisher

[Hence, the Phillies are widely predicted to win it all. The predictions are probably correct {Sigh}]

...and I said the above BEFORE (well, during) Roy Holladay pitched his No-Hitter!

Even I, who bleed Black&Orange, can say: well done, Doc. Congrats! :-)

JC Fisher

Chris Epting says it all for me.