Spirituality Talk
A girl, L asked me if the Ignatian Spirituality was still held every Wednesday night. And that question led to more questions.
Since she asked, she seemed to be interested in knowing more. Therefore, I informed her that Fr Chris might be starting a new group on Ignatian Spirituality. And she frankly told me that she was actually not interested in St Ignatius. She was more attracted to St Francis of Assisi.
L then told me about St Francis of Assisi. How he was from a noble family, and was drawn to serve God more intimately. His father was annoyed by his fervent serving of God and demanded that St Francis should listen to him because even the very clothing St Francis wore belonged to him. At that, St Francis took off all his clothing and left his father’s house, completely naked. Then he put on sackcloth and started his mission. And L expressed her admiration that the Franciscans took the vow of poverty. Well, I straightway pointed out to her that St Ignatius and fellow Jesuits took the vow of poverty as well.
I agreed that she knew about St Francis of Assisi. However what did she know about St Francis’ spirituality? You cannot just admire someone because he takes of his clothes... You admired his courage but does that mean you know his spirituality?
Then I began to tell her about the life and conversion of St Ignatius, how he switched from serving the earthly lord and lady to serving our Lord and our Lady. I further explained to her the Ignatian charism: finding God in all things... Then I explained to her how St Igantius from his own experience and encounter with God, took almost 16 years to complete the methods of getting connected with God – the Spiritual Exercises. And how St Ignatius developed methods of discerning the spirit... How to discern trains of thoughts or feeling to see whether they are from God or from the devil... How the angel of darkness can come under the guise of angel of light...
Still holding onto St Francis of Assisi, L commented that if I experienced other spirituality as well, I might find Ignatian Spirituality not that attractive any more. I did agree with her on that point; but my intention of promoting to her Ignatian Spirituality was not to belittle other spirituality. All spiritualities developed throughout the Church history are directed and guided by the same Spirit. All I wanted was to show her the essence and richness of Ignatian Spirituality.
After the whole discussion, L still had her mind closed. Clearly, she did not understand what spirituality is; neither did she know what is Franciscan Spirituality nor Ignatian Spirituality. Her mind is closed. She did not know what Franciscan Spirituality is, yet she had already rejected Ignatian Spirituality. Knowing that the discussion was fruitless, I encouraged her to further explore on Franciscan Spirituality and St Francis’ prayer with nature...
There is only one Body; there is only one Spirit. Different people are attracted to different spirituality. As long as the spirituality can draw you into a closer and more intimate relationship with God, that is your spirituality.
What is your spirituality? What is my spirituality? What is spirituality?
Since she asked, she seemed to be interested in knowing more. Therefore, I informed her that Fr Chris might be starting a new group on Ignatian Spirituality. And she frankly told me that she was actually not interested in St Ignatius. She was more attracted to St Francis of Assisi.
L then told me about St Francis of Assisi. How he was from a noble family, and was drawn to serve God more intimately. His father was annoyed by his fervent serving of God and demanded that St Francis should listen to him because even the very clothing St Francis wore belonged to him. At that, St Francis took off all his clothing and left his father’s house, completely naked. Then he put on sackcloth and started his mission. And L expressed her admiration that the Franciscans took the vow of poverty. Well, I straightway pointed out to her that St Ignatius and fellow Jesuits took the vow of poverty as well.
I agreed that she knew about St Francis of Assisi. However what did she know about St Francis’ spirituality? You cannot just admire someone because he takes of his clothes... You admired his courage but does that mean you know his spirituality?
Then I began to tell her about the life and conversion of St Ignatius, how he switched from serving the earthly lord and lady to serving our Lord and our Lady. I further explained to her the Ignatian charism: finding God in all things... Then I explained to her how St Igantius from his own experience and encounter with God, took almost 16 years to complete the methods of getting connected with God – the Spiritual Exercises. And how St Ignatius developed methods of discerning the spirit... How to discern trains of thoughts or feeling to see whether they are from God or from the devil... How the angel of darkness can come under the guise of angel of light...
Still holding onto St Francis of Assisi, L commented that if I experienced other spirituality as well, I might find Ignatian Spirituality not that attractive any more. I did agree with her on that point; but my intention of promoting to her Ignatian Spirituality was not to belittle other spirituality. All spiritualities developed throughout the Church history are directed and guided by the same Spirit. All I wanted was to show her the essence and richness of Ignatian Spirituality.
After the whole discussion, L still had her mind closed. Clearly, she did not understand what spirituality is; neither did she know what is Franciscan Spirituality nor Ignatian Spirituality. Her mind is closed. She did not know what Franciscan Spirituality is, yet she had already rejected Ignatian Spirituality. Knowing that the discussion was fruitless, I encouraged her to further explore on Franciscan Spirituality and St Francis’ prayer with nature...
There is only one Body; there is only one Spirit. Different people are attracted to different spirituality. As long as the spirituality can draw you into a closer and more intimate relationship with God, that is your spirituality.
What is your spirituality? What is my spirituality? What is spirituality?
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