The Spirituality of Obedience

02/27/2012

What Future Are You Opting For?

Vocation, identity, grace and obedience.

I am more than a little baffled at our capacity to hear the truth, to affirm something we read in the Bible, to nod our heads at a good sermon and teaching . . . and then do DO NOTHING IN RESPONSE TO WHAT WE HAVE JUST HEARD! (The shouting was intentional.)

Maybe baffled isn't the right word.

I guess it isn't baffling at all.

It's probably the expected, natural, default response of the fallen heart.

It takes quite a bit of faith and courage, of trust and surrender to actually walk with God, follow Jesus and keep in step with the Spirit.

Ignatian spirituality has as its constant refrain, "What is Jesus asking of you?"

At every step through the Ignatian Exercises, the need is for discernment of the way Christ is setting forth and then for the willing response of trust and obedience to that way.

A corrollary of this is that God will not give more light to those who have already received light and done nothing with it.

Jesus cuts to the quick when he says,

"Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say?"
(Luke 6:46, but read 6:46-49 for the larger context.)

Here was a reflection that helped me go further in thinking about this.

In the Church, history does not just happen. It comes about through decisions made by hearts of faith, hearts open to grace. The real question to ask is, therefore, not "What is going to happen?" but rather, "What is the future that I am going to opt for, under the vocation and the grace that is at once my burden and my identity.

And you ask this question so that you can do what you are meant to do, and leave everything else to the silent sovereignty of the Lord of history.

(Karl Rahner)

The theological and spiritual balance and integrity of those few words is astounding. And the implications are far reaching.

I encourage a lengthy lectio divina reflection on those words . . . making sure you spend time with the equestion:

What is the future that I am going to opt for?

May the God of grace guide you in your Vocation and Identity, taking you deeper and wider as you respond to his leading.

Brian K. Rice
Evangelials on the Ignatian Way
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typeapd.com

Posted at 02:08 AM in Essays About the Exercises | Permalink

Technorati Tags: Brian K. Rice, Evangelicals on the Ignatian Way, grace, Karl Rahner, obedience, responding to God, Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, surrender, vocation

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Jesuit Bibliography and Some Others

Jim Manney: Charged with Grandeur: The Book of Ignatian Inspiration
This is a very nice little devotional book that collects short sayings (half a page to a page, in a small book size) of Jesuit authors. Really worth getting.
Father Kevin O'Brien SJ: The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life
Brand new book on doing the Ignatian Exercises. I have only skimmed through it... but on first impressions, this may now be my favorite for those who want to do the actual Ignatian Exercises and have a real shot at doing it on your own.
M.Basil Pennington: Bernard of Clairvaux: Lover Teaching the Way of Love
I have only read a little of the considerable writings by Bernard. I decided that I wanted to read several of his works this year. So I picked up this little anthology of selected writings. Very nice. Plus, the introduction by Basil Pennington is very good.
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection: The Practice of the Presence of God
Just re-read this little classic. See the post on March 12 for some reflections.
Jean Leclercq: Memoirs: From Grace to Grace
Leclercq is one of the great authors of the mystical tradition of monastic spirituality. This was his memoirs. Not what I had expected. I was hoping for more of an intimate look into his spiritual life. It wasn't here.
Roger Helland: Missional Spirituality: Embodying God's Love from the Inside Out
One of the reasons why I am so attracted to Jesuit spirituality is because, it is, at heart - a missional spirituality. There are a number of people who engage with Ignatius and his exercises, but do so as a mainly privatistic spiritual experience. True Ignatian spirituality is intensely missional. Here is a wonderful volume on this Ignatian Way (and one would say Pauline Way and also "Jesus Way) by a Mennonite and a Baptist. I have just started it.
Mark E. Thibodeaux SJ: God's Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God's Will
The work of spiritual discernment is central to Ignatian spirituality and in one sense, the Spiritual Exercises are a long reflection that enables one to discern the Presence, Work and Word of Jesus that is coming to one, and then on how to respond. The Ignatian language of consolation and desolation is core to the work of discernment. This is a very substantial discussion of Ignatian discernment.
Rodney Reeves: Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ
The theme of the "imitation of Christ" is a core idea in my theology, spirituality, missional engagements and leadership. This book is "theological spirituality" and "spiritual theology." There are 12 chapters organized around the three themes of (1) crucified with Christ, (2) buried with Christ and (3) raised with Christ. This is not a Jesuit book at all, but rather an evangelical providing depth biblical reflection on the spirituality of Paul.
Carl McColman: The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality
A friend who recently met Carl McColman, recommended this to me. I have not yet read it, but it looks rich and deep, biblical and accessible.
Charles J. Healey: The Ignatian Way: Key Aspects of Jesuit Spirituality
This is now my favorite "short" introduction to Ignatius and the Jesuits. A 140 page introduction that gives the essence of Ignatius, the Jesuits, the Spiritual Exercises, prayer, discernment, the Constitutions (and Jesuit leadership) as well as short biographical notes on important Jesuits. I love it.
Susan Howatch: Glamorous Powers
Volume 2 in the Starbridge series and this one about a skilled spiritual director who is dealing with his own brokeness.
Susan Howatch: Glittering Images
A novel of spiritual formation, pride, power, sexuality... and how deceptive the heart is. First in the Starbridge series. I found myself reflecting deeply.
Brennan Manning: All Is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir
Brand new by one of my very favorite authors whose early work helped me get in touch with Abba. I am taking this with me on an upcoming trip.
Frederica Mathewes-Green: The Jesus Prayer: The Ancient Desert Prayer that Tunes the Heart to God
This is one of my supplemental pathways... I use this prayer from time to time and always find it helps me center and draw near to Christ. I am looking forward to this little explanation.
Friedrich Von Hugel: Letters to a Niece
I am a little embarrassed to admit that I have never read this classic work on spiritual direction. I recently read another book that had so many good thoughts from it, that I determined - now is the time.
Harvey D. Egan: Karl Rahner: Mystic of Everyday Life (The Crossroad Spiritual Legacy Series)
This is a very substantial work about Karl Rahner (see booknote below this one). I really like it. Not easy reading by any means, but for those who want a more substantial engagement with wise theology, this is worth getting.
Karl Rahner: Spiritual Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters)
I am reading a number of books by Karl Rahner and several about him. Rahner is, perhaps, the most important Jesuit theologian of the 20th century. He wrote over 4000 published works!!! He was a theologian, mystic, spiritual director, pastor, teacher... This is a short introduction to Rahner with many samples of his writing and reflections.
Paul Coutinho SJ: An Ignatian Pathway: Experiencing the Mystical Dimension of the Spiritual Exercises
I am not exactly sure how to explain this book. It is presented as a "different doorway to the Exercises" and it is. Okay, I'd say this is a collection of single page reflections (116 of them) about/on the Spiritual Exercises. Reflections on the pathways and perspectives of Ignatian spirituality, on some of the uniquely Ignatian Exercises, and on the core gospel stories. There is no processing guidance. Just the short reflections to which you would bring your processing. I think it is useful to read through in a few sittings to get a general sense of Ignatian themes and ways.
Jim Manney: A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer: Discovering the Power of St. Ignatius Loyola's Examen
This is the single best resource on learning to pray the Examen. I have read several books on the Examen, appreciated them all, thought most of them were too long and cumbersome for most readers... This one is delightful, rich, simple, clear, useful. It is really, the only resource you will need to learn the Examen.
Gilles Cusson: Biblical Theology and the Spiritual Exercises: A Method Toward a Personal Experience of God As Accomplishing Within Us His Plan of Salvation (Modern Scholarly Studies Jesuits English Translations, 7)
This is a very nice, spiritually rich discussion of the biblical theology of the Ignatian Exercises.
John L McCarthy: The Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and Their Complementary Norms: A Complete English Translation of the Official Latin Texts (Series III--Original Studies, Composed in English)
This is the definitive edition, approved by the 34th General Congregation, for the Constitutions and the Complementary Notes. This book and the one below are available through the Institute of Jesuit Sources. Just google it and you'll find it.
Alldama: Introductory Commentary on the Constitution
A very nice commentary that explains the constitutions that guide the spiritual and organizational life of the Jesuits.
Richard Swenson: A Minute of Margin: Restoring Balance to Busy Lives180 Daily Reflections
This is another favorite previous devotional. As I was editing some of the Exercises I am writing, I was in a section where I used a number of reflections from Swenson. I pulled this off the shelf and "rummaged" through it and appreciated the depth and guidance Swenson offers. This is devotional work with the purpose of helping you restore margins to your full and busy life.
Charles Ringma: Seek the Silences with Thomas Merton
This is one of my favorite devotional resources I have ever used. I recently pulled it off the shelf for revisiting a few of Ringma's thoughts about Merton.
Saint Ignatius: The Testament of Ignatius Loyola: Being "sundry Acts of Our Father Ignatius, Under God, the First Founder of the Society of Jesus Taken Down from the Saint's Own Lips by Luis Gonzales."
One of the core original documents that was "taken down" by his secretary, Luis Gonzales.
Wesley Alfred Wishart: A Short History of Monks and Monasteries
Under 200 pages and it is a nice primer for those who are interested in the bigger picture of this topic.
James Martin SJ: Lourdes Diary: Seven Days at the Grotto of Massabieille
A very short book of his pilgrimage. As an evangelical, I depart from some of his specific Roman Catholic perspectives, but I find the heart and spirit of this author to be remarkable. I have read several other books by him. The two major ones: My Life With the Saints and of course, the now required reading: The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything.
James Martin: This Our Exile: A Spiritual Journey with the Refugees of East Africa
I truly love James Martin as a writer. One of my favorite Jesuit authors. This is his travel narrative and spiritual reflections on his time of working with refugees in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Also see, Lourdes Diary.
J. Michael Sparough SJ: What's Your Decision?: How to Make Choices with Confidence and Clarity: An Ignatian Approach to Decision Making
Spiritual discernment and decision making are core Jesuit practices. I am reading two books on this subject right now. Also see, God's Voice Within.
Mark E. Thibodeaux SJ: God's Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God's Will
Discernment and decision making are core Jesuit spiritual perspectives and practices. This is the second book I am reading on this. Also see, What's Your Decision?

Evangelicals on the Ignatian Way

02/27/2012