Ignatius of Loyola
 For Ignatius of Loyola, learning that God recognizes the little as well as the big took some time. With his upbringing and background in military service, he learned from an early age that the best way to be noticed was to distinguish himself from others: he had to stand out, whether in school, in his military career, or in his pursuit and devotion to a particular woman of high society! The way to show that one was committed, the way to gain attention, was to perform great things at great times. Never one to go "half-way," when Ignatius decided to do something, he pursued it fully, intending to make a great impact. And having accomplished something so great, the ruling powers would have to recognize and reward him with praise. The best way to describe Ignatius' thought process during this pivotal time in his life is in looking at his response after suffering a broken leg while on military duty: Although the leg was set, it did not heal properly. Ignatius demanded that the leg be re-broken and re-set, in order for it to heal properly and, more importantly, to look properly!
 Yet, even when it looks like there is no way to penetrate one's wall of vainglory, God finds a way to one's heart!
It was during his recovery that a bored Ignatius demanded reading materials to help pass the time. He wanted the popular books of that time, stories that spoke of great chivalry and greater reward. Instead, he received books that described the heroic feats of other individuals. One book was on the lives of Saints and one on the life of Christ. It was in reading and rereading these works that he began to envision a new sort of life for himself. Offering a life of service to God became as attractive to him as what he was doing in the military. Recognizing in these holy men and women a fierce determination and love for God and God's will for his people, Ignatius began to resonate with their example and determined in his heart to "change allegiances." And he brought that same determination, stubbornness, and desire for big results that he had in military service into his to service to God. With St. Francis of Assisi and St. Dominic as examples, he felt that if he but follow their footsteps, he would receive the same consolations from God.
Yet God was not interested in imitation; rather, God wanted Ignatius to realize that he had a unique gift to give. From the beginning of his ministry, Ignatius would find that every grand idea he had to show God how much he loved Him would be met with ill-success. Every supposed detour that was forced upon him would, in time, be shown to be an opportunity of great learning and consolation from God. God stripped Ignatius of the desire to imitate and clothed him with the realization that God most honored one's genuine effort and commitment, no matter how big the result. In time, Ignatius recognized more fully that God was already and always present-in the big and in the small.
One tool Ignatius developed to help others find God in their every day situation was the daily examen. Not simply an "examination of conscience," this was a specific exercise, to be done once or twice a day, where the examinant would stop for a period of time to look over what had transpired during the day. The focus was not only in acknowledging the times of misstep, but also recognizing the moments of grace-whether in a conversation, in something seen, or in something encountered. The examinant was encouraged to use all the senses in trying to recognize God's presence. Then he or she would then thank God for the blessings, express sorrow for missed opportunities, and ask for the grace to continue to see God in all things.
Ignatius saw the responsibility of being followers of Christ as a simple one: We are to recognize the giftedness of God in everything we encounter. As Gerald Manley Hopkins, an English Jesuit poet, so aptly stated, "The world is charged with the grandeur of God!" Being aware of God's continual presence, in every aspect of our lives, gives us a way to approach God in prayer. When we discipline ourselves to find God in every aspect of our life-in our walks, our conversations, in our actions, and with all our senses- we can begin to recognize that God's love and presence permeates all of creation.
Previous page
|
|
Next page
|
|
|
