Mary, a Model of Wisdom and Spiritual Discernment | Fr. Bill Hayward MIC

Today, Fr. Bill Hayward, MIC, shared reflections from Vietnam, where the Marian community continues to grow, and spoke about the importance of wisdom, understanding, and spiritual judgment. To grow in Christ, we need the wisdom to discern what is good and the understanding to make decisions according to God’s will. Spiritual judgment is not simply about deciding what is right or wrong; it is about allowing our choices to be guided by the Holy Spirit, the sacraments, and the wisdom of the Church. Fr. Bill reminded us that God’s judgment always works together with His mercy, helping us make decisions that lead us and others closer to Christ.

Fr. Bill presented the Blessed Virgin Mary as a beautiful model of spiritual discernment. Mary knew who she was before God, listened attentively to Him, and freely made decisions rooted in faith rather than fear or intimidation. Her wisdom and openness to God allowed her life to become a means through which others could encounter and grow in Christ. Like Mary and the saints, we are called to deepen our relationship with God so that we may also come to know ourselves more clearly. By remaining connected to the Holy Spirit and learning from Mary’s example, we can make wise spiritual decisions with freedom, trust, and confidence in God’s mercy.