Discernment of Spirits - 30 Days with Teresa of Avila, Day 24

Discernment of Spirits
30 Days with Teresa of Avila
Day 24 Reflections
Divine Intimacy Radio

How can we determine if our crosses are the work of God or the work of the enemy? Dan and Melissa discuss discernment of spirits and St. Teresa’s spiritual advice to a friend in a letter from the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila.

Topics/Questions covered in the show:

Why does God answer our prayers with trials and suffering?
Can the work of the enemy be mistaken for the work of God?
How can we tell if a trial is the work of God and not the work of the devil?
Some tools for discernment: daily examen, spiritual direction, St. Ignatius’ Rules of Discernment.
Can an action that seems to be in service to God be inspired by the enemy?
How and why are advanced souls more at risk of attacks from the devil?
Moderation in spiritual life in St. Teresa’s time contrasted with modern society.

Resources:

30 Days with Teresa of Avila – Dan Burke and Anthony Lilles
EWTN Religious Catalogue – Online
1 Corinthians 10:13 – USCCB Bible link “God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength…”
14 Rules for Discerning of Spirits – Text from St. Ignatius with links to podcasts by Fr. Timothy Gallagher
Divine Office – Liturgy of the Hours – Online
http://avila-institute.org – The Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
Daily Examen – Prayer Guide from The Avila Institute
The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross – Kavanaugh and Rodrigues. Contains Dark Night of the Soul.
For Call in questions for future shows 818-646-7729. Please leave your name, location, and question(s).

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Dan Burke

Dan Burke is the past President and C.O.O. of EWTN's worldwide news network. He is presently the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 90 countries and prepares men for seminary in over 40 dioceses. Dan is the author and editor of numerous books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com. In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church. Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.