The Book of Acts tells the story of Paul and Barnabas being sent out as missionaries from the community at Antioch because the Holy Spirit told them to go. It made me a little jealous — I wish the Holy Spirit would tell me what to do. On further reflection, I realize that I have come to know (at least as far as I could tell) where the Holy Spirit was leading. It happened when I gathered to take counsel with others. By joining our individual prayer together and being open to deep listening a group taking counsel does have genuine access to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit. All the Councils and Committees and Conferences that characterize modern life in the Church might not be the most efficient way of operating but they give us the best chance of an authentic discernment of God’s will.
