SHINING A LENS ON IGNATION SPIRITUALITY
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Life is full of questions. Small and large. Personal and professional. What should I wear, what should I eat? Should I take that job, should I go back to school? Should I enter that relationship, am I putting God first? Is this really where and how I’m supposed to be living my life?
In those questions we find, through no fault of our own, useless anxieties and worries that capture our attention and mind, and do not add a day, blessing or fruit to our life. In our Faith Sharing for October 11th, we created space for “Pray, hope, and do not worry” using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. A method of prayer to help guide our life, the Spiritual Exercises were developed to enrich our walk with the Lord and help us get closer by meditative means and discernment. Using our minds, thoughts and feelings, we are able to “prepare and dispose the soul to rid itself of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, seek and find the will of God in the disposition of our life for the salvation of our soul.” (Spiritual Exercises #1, transl. Puhl, S.J., fatherbroom.com) When we strive to tune out the noise, we are able to find the voice to turn to. When we are better able to discern where our feelings and anxieties are coming from, we can make better decisions in line with God's path for us.
Through the “Discernment of Spirits”, finding out if we are in a state of spiritual consolation or desolation, and conducting the daily examen/following the Ignatian method of Relish, Request, Review, Repent, and Resolve (5 R’s), we are able to listen to God’s invitation and calling to include Him in our daily lives, and be active recipients and participants of the scenes in the Bible and the greatest story of all time.
In addition to the resources below, a two page summary, and videos, can be found here.
It is rare to find a person who enjoys making decisions and has learned how to live life well. But it is not impossible to be that person. Practice taking all decisions to God in prayer. Seek the guidance of your Guardian Angel. Request the presence of the Holy Spirit. Reflect on the roses and thorns. Repent your misdeeds. And Resolve to do better.
God is with you, friends. Take heart!
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