Weeds Among the Wheat

by Thomas H Green S.J.

With wisdom and common sense Father Green tackles a serious subject--discernment--and provides a clear, highly readable explanation for all Christians, in all walks of life. An invaluable tool for all who are called in their individual and communal lives to discern what God's will is in very concrete terms. Those facing major decisions in their lives will find special assistance and blessing in this extraordinary book.

Genres: Spirituality, Prayer, Religion, Christian, Nonfiction, Theology, Faith

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1984

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good foundation for understanding Ignatian spiritual discernment. Not an entertaining book, but practical and set up like a course on the topic. The writer has decades of experience and sheds light on how to hear God's voice in our consolation and desolation, and how to discern the voice of God from our own, and Satan's.

[Jungsook Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long ago I started reading 'Weeds Among the Wheat,' but I lost my interest and stopped reading. Recently, I read Thomas Green, S.J.'s 'The Friend of the Bridegroom' which is humorous and simple and I loved it. I wanted to challenge to complete 'Weeds Among the Wheat' that I stopped reading. This book is longer and more complicated than the former one.

We apt to think that weeds are some other people and I am the wheat. But Fr. Green tells us that there are weeds and wheat together in me. If I try to clean up all my weeds at once, the wheat will be damaged. Until we die, we can't clean up our weeds in us. My weeds are not bad all the time since God permits them grow together. I can be humble due to my weeds. Fr. Thomas discusses the educative value of weeds. 'They purify us. They make us true floaters in the sea of the Lord.' 'Thus even the weed which we call the devil has a value in the wheat field of the Lord.' 'But for those whose lives are lived in discerning love, who are alert and sensitive to the dangers and values of the weeds, their very presence and challenge assure a more abundant harvest.'

[Scott R. See · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book on discernment. He does get a bit repetitive. Don't necessarily agree with everything that is said but overall it was informative and provided a good deal of explanation into the Jesuit method of discernment, leaning heavily of course into Ignatius. This is where I found the author repititive. Sometimes he would explain things several times which I felt wasn't really necessary. I particularly liked his use of footnotes for reference and suggestions for further study. He also includes practical questions at the end of each chapter and then provides his own answers to those questions at the end of the book.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for class and forgot to write about it. I paired it with Hannah Anderson's All that is Good: the Lost Art of Discernment and it was very helpful to pair them together. They are both about discernment but coming from different perspectives and for different purposes, they complement one another well. I should read it again.

Not sure of exact time of reading.

[Rafael Lizárraga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una extraordinaria guía para quienes se toman en serio seguir la voluntad de Dios en su vida. Encontrarás la manera de discernir lo que viene de Dios de lo que viene del mundo, de la carne o del maligno.

[Brian Hohmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Green offers an excellent primer on Ignatian discernment that focuses—appropriately—more on the heart of the matter, God's invitation to participate, than on the applied pseudoscience of Ignatian "rules" that seems to occupy so many other texts and writers.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a discernment book. I will be reading this like a devotional book. There for I hope to read about a page a day, as of today I will be starting on page 44.

[Jasonlylescampbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great introduction to Ignatius's method of discernment. Thomas Green calls discernment the place where prayer and action meet. It is how we come to know the Lord's will and obey it in specific concrete situations. The methods are detailed and profound ... basically looking for consolidations or desolations and learning how to discern them. But he also lays out rational methods for when you are in a time of silence (and don't feel you are receiving anything from the Lord) ... but then this must be re-presented to the Lord again looking for his consolation.

The epilogue deals with communal discernment and makes the important point that communal discernment only works if the individuals are open to God in prayer ... basically are learning discernment on their own.

He also ends with an insight from St. John of the Cross that says the three great enemies to interior growth are the self, the devil and the spiritual director. This is because the spiritual director themselves often lacks the inner freedom to allow the directees to be who God is leading them to be. Instead, John feels, they try to form carbon copies of themselves. .... "Many good souls, it would seem, prefer to be directed in this sense. They find security in blindly entrusting themselves into the hands of another. But the problem is that they never grow ...

Thomas Green says it seems the same could be said for any superior, pastor or parent. I am afraid this is so ... for growth to happen the pastor or parent must let the child grow up and away from them ... a hard thing to do, something that requires a laying down of control and security ... a real dependence upon God.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cerebral book, it gives confidence to the spiritual person struggling with his or her dark side. A great image is given by Green, that if one pulls up the bad too soon, the good will go with it. This is for the mature reader who is genuinely searching to grow and not look for an excuse as to why that dark side exists in the first place.

[Terence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I'd highly recommend.

Tom Green puts St. Ignatius rules on prayer and discernment into more easily understood language. He doesn't assume that you understand terms like desolation or consulation but explains them.

This is a great book and a must read for anyone that wants to help others with prayerful discernment.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember this book being very dry and not particularly helpful. I don't believe that I finished reading it. But, this is more the result of my temperament, and the fact that Ignatian spirituality and discernment does not generally appeal to me. Others may find it useful and helpful, and I encourage those interested in discernment to read it and judge for themselves.

[Jakki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very "meaty" book and often had to read sections several times to understand its meaning.

Lots of new perspectives on discernment and what it is, isn't and how to tell if those "God Impressions" should be followed or just felt

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by my spiritual director, and I found it very helpful as I started to try to understand the topic of discernment.

[Adam Shaeffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good discussion of discernment and prayer. I'm not sure I agree with a few of his points, but I see what he's getting at. In all, a good and fruitful read.

[Claire Hoipkemier · Rating 5 out of 5]

this journeyed with me through my heart's odyssey up at Manresa and introduced me to the most practical tools for discovering God's will that i know.

[Marilyn McNeil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niche interest. Must for those studying Ignation Spirituality.

[Carolyn Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read on discernment