Ignatian Insight: In his instructions to the Jesuits attending the Council of Trent, Ignatius was specific to point out that when they were free from affairs at the Council. They should spend time in the hospitals attending to the sick and needy. Ignatius placed great emphasis on humility. Ours, perhaps, is the only religious order where a Jesuit manifests conscience to the superior! It is meant to be a genuine means of openness through which the Superior discerns with the Jesuit his specific mission in the Society of Jesus. The motivating factor, according to Ignatius for such an attitude, is the singular love of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
After pondering the matter in our Lord, we consider it to be of great and even extraordinary importance in his Divine Majesty that the superiors have complete understanding of the subjects, that by means of this knowledge they may be able to direct and govern them better into the paths of the Lord.
The candidates, proceeding thus with an increase of grace and spirit and with wholehearted desires to enter this Society and persevere in it for their entire lives, will do the same thing on various other occasions, until those who are to be professed make their profession and those who hope to be formed coadjutors take their vows, in the following manner.
Thus also it seem that the formed coadjutors and professed, when they find themselves in a place where they are under obedience to a superior of the Society, should give him an account of their conscience every year, or more often if the superior thinks they ought to, in the manner stated and commencing from the last which they gave, and so forth.
Points for Consideration
- Do you have sufficient clarity about the Society of Jesus, and do the Jesuit companions you interact with know enough about you?
- Do you perceive a constancy, stability and firmness to persevere in your original vocation?
- How do others perceive you?
- Do you have a disposition of openness to be available?
Is there any person you would consider a model of availability, of being sent?
Autobiography
On arrival at Montserrat, after praying and fixing an appointment with the confessor, he made a general confession in writing; it lasted three days. He arranged with the confessor to have his mule taken in charge, and his sword and dagger placed in the church at the altar of Our Lady. This was the first man to whom he revealed his decision, because until then he had not revealed it to any confessor.
Spiritual Exercise
Imagine Christ our Lord suspended on the cross before you, and converse with Him in a colloquy: How is that He, although he is the Creator, has come to make himself a human being? How is that He has passed from eternal life to death here in time, and to die in this way for my sin? In a similar way, reflect on yourself and ask: What have I done for Christ? What I am doing for Christ? What ought I to do for Christ? In this way, too, gazing on Him in so pitiful a state as He hangs on the Cross, speak out whatever comes to your mind.
Scripture Text
John 6:67-69 – Peter’s Faith in Jesus
So Jesus asked the twelve, ”Do you also wish go away?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God”
The Grace I desire: To be motivated by a deep interior love for Jesus Christ so that I may grow in transparency and openness as a Jesuit.
- Pay attention to Peter’s expression of confidence in Jesus
- See Jesus asking you to the same question which He asked the disciples. What is your response? Let the answer come from the deep silence within
Rewrite from : Schooled by the Spirit (Ramon Bautista, SJ)