Advent Opens Door

A

dvent closes this week. Praying in Advent opens Christians to be more alert and sensitive. The global Jesuit site offers an aid to pray with the Universal Apostolic Preferences during Advent. The UAPs animate all Ignatian ministries. Colleagues of Jesuits and practitioners of Ignatian spirituality benefit from the reflection as much as Jesuits as do.

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Wiki-image AdventCandles.jpg by “Jonathunder | CC BY-SA 3.0"

Letting Go

The pandemic has removed things and activities from daily life. Clinging to them prevents choosing wisely to remain healthy. Clinging also denies opportunities to grow, even to notice God’s invitations to more life.

Jesuit Brother Joe Hoover suggested that “when we are asked to do a simple thing that makes sense, like letting things go during a ferocious pandemic, it might be God is preparing us to receive something profound in return.”

Sometimes it is just that simple. Christ often comes in what is common, clothed in what makes sense; in wisdom trite, cliched and earth-shattering. https://t.co/kt3RZiHwCb

— America Magazine (@americamag) December 9, 2020

Pope's Intention for December

 

July Prayer Intention from Pope Francis

Families.

pic.twitter.com/8QN3ZZlcMs

— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) July 2, 2020

Reflections on Scriptures for Sunday

This is the psalm of someone who has loved God all their lives. Theirs is a proven love, a long faithfulness. As we look back over our own lives in humility and gratitude, we might speak a similar prayer.  https://t.co/neLhXb5fIu

— Renee Yann, RSM (@ReneeYann) June 5, 2020

Asking Correct Questions

Relationship: relationship with God and relationships with others mutually illuminate. Can possessions hinder a relationship, even put it in jeopardy?  Meet Shannon Evans. She ponders these questions in central Iowa where she lives with her husband and their five children. As Shannon ponders she makes Ignatian spirituality more accessible.

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Wiki-image circular shape created using light painting by “Subhrajyoti07 | CC BY-SA 4.0"

Window on Leading

Adults generally wear multiple “hats.” During the pandemic shouldering multiple roles has become more intense. At a New York City hospital one person whose “roles as a doctor, scientist, and administrator were all facing extraordinary demands simultaneously” tells his story of leading through the pandemic’s peak.

“Social distancing and sheltering in place moved the peak from 22,000 to 2,100. It saved more lives than any treatments we can provide patients.” https://t.co/qC5hsAJug1 #COVID19 via @YaleInsights

— Paul Panaretos (@PDPswim) June 6, 2020

Prayer Vigil Saturday Evening

Choose to participate at 8 p.m. in one of three time zones named at the web site.

It has been a long, hard winter.

But as people of faith & good will, we believe not only will it pass, but that we can be stronger together.

This Saturday, join the millions in the Ignatian family around the world for an #IgnatianPentecost Prayer Vigil.https://t.co/2f4xfLDWs4 pic.twitter.com/BpBm4wX4To

— Society of Jesus (@TheJesuits) May 25, 2020

Retreating with Art

Jesuit Christopher Alt tells the story of a retreat he designed using art. He recalled the retreat during our pandemic time; with the help of his Jesuit brothers anyone may retreat with it using the video and sketchbook linked in the tweet. One may spread the retreat over 7 days. Its second part is a “museum experience.”
Two versions: English; Spanish.

“Pentecost is an invitation to see that creation never was “finished,”  nor was it a one-time event that happened once-and-for-all 'in the beginning.'” A reflection on the process of creation that continues now. https://t.co/NhjL3gkU8q pic.twitter.com/FR8Wjfiags

— The Jesuit Post (@TheJesuitPost) May 28, 2020

Global Prayer on Vigil of Pentecost

The global Ignatian family—millions of people “in more than 100 countries”—will pray on the vigil of Pentecost, 31 May. People may choose to participate at 8 p.m. in one of three time zones named at the web site.

Have you ever been part of a world-wide prayer vigil? Join the global Ignatian family on May 30 as we welcome the Holy Spirit. #TogetherAMDG #IgnatianPentecost check us out at https://t.co/bmpwO5F5TS and choose your time.

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 28, 2020

Learning from St. Ignatius of Loyola

When people freely isolate themselves, they fare better than when circumstances limit their freedom. Retreat—which one may not immediately classify as isolation—is freely chosen. Dealing with shifting moods on retreat happens. Knowing the end-date of retreat is one help.

Pandemic isolation is less easy to choose, yet people choose it to respect the lives of others and self.  Jesuit David Lonsdale recalled that St. Ignatius of Loyola experienced both “necessary” and “voluntary self-isolation”. His “reflections on his experience of isolation…can offer us valuable help in our present circumstances.”

In a time of pandemic, when many of us are struggling to find hope, or to live in charity with ourselves and others, the prayer of ‘Contemplation for love of God’ in the #SpiritualExercises can help as an effective response. https://t.co/sg0GUkpI9u #coronavirus #AMDG

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 27, 2020

To Close May

#PopeFrancis will lead a worldwide prayer of the #Rosary on Saturday, 30 May, at 5:30 PM Rome time, to pray for help amidst the #coronavirus pandemic.https://t.co/ZFkCg3f9qA

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 26, 2020

Bring Them Along

One help to praying that St. Ignatius of Loyola counselled was: engage with anyone present in a scripture that focuses one’s prayer. The Ascension of Jesus involves his disciples. It helps prayer to bring them along, particularly if we are grieving.

What Jesus’ ascension can teach us about coping with grief https://t.co/BkCqddTjqk

— America Magazine (@americamag) May 21, 2020

“Enjoy Silence”

Three questions and two minutes with Jesuit Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, who died today.

In 2016, I asked Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, what he would tell someone just starting out in the life of prayer. His answer: "Enjoy silence." Here is two minutes with a great Jesuit priest and spiritual master. https://t.co/iKdi3lbZc9

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) May 20, 2020

God Cherishes Deeds

Genuinely caring what another thinks, cherishing the actions of another: the result of both is a deeper relationship. It is so with God. Ignatian praying allows one to feel God cherishing, respecting, vivifying oneself. Spiritual director Tim McEvoy considered a dictum of St. Ignatius of Loyola: actions for others exceed words. Praying allows actors to notice and share God's delight. 

How does @Pontifex call us to transform our culture in order to care for our common home in #Laudatosi? https://t.co/9gpKaUrJQd

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 16, 2020

Today: From the Pope’s Prayer Network

#HumanFraternity #PrayTogetherToday, "believers of every religion are invited to unite themselves spiritually in a day of prayer, fasting and works of charity, to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus #pandemic." (Pope Francis) pic.twitter.com/UgyMTbivqy

— Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network – Vatican (@popesprayernet) May 14, 2020

Intimate, Whole Self

At the last supper Jesus asked his disciples to pray. He had their future, their mission, in view. Asking is also loving. The image of vine and branches brings to the centre continuity—Jesus with us, we with Jesus by the power of Holy Spirit. At today's General Audience Pope Francis listed some characteristics of prayer.

#PopeFrancis reflects on the essential characteristics of prayer, saying it is universal, intimate, and entirely trusting in God. #GeneralAudience https://t.co/ZvJZuig3lv

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 13, 2020

Repeating Invitation

A chorus of voices speaking different languages joined Pope Francis’ plea to pray and act in the face of the pandemic—14 May. 

As #PopeFrancis invites people of all faiths to pray on 14 May for an end to the #coronavirus pandemic, we get a snapshot of people around the world who plan on taking part in this unique initiative. https://t.co/PALYH6j5SY

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) May 12, 2020

Way Forward Has its Guide

The rhythm of Lent-Easter aims to assist Christians to move with risen Jesus, to move more like him, to follow his way. From Thinking Faith archives Jesuit Joseph Simmons tours the Way to help Christians restart and continue their journey—this year with pandemic-shaped “contours.”

Formed by our Lenten discipline and with Easter eyes, we hope to be able to see more clearly the contours of life's journey, for ourselves and others, says Joseph Simmons SJ. ‘No matter where we are in life, we are always somewhere on the Easter path.’ https://t.co/EZUXeUFPiY

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) May 10, 2020

Withdrawing: Sometimes Helpful

Tension, frenzy, missing meaning, physical upset: living is never perfectly balanced. Humane living ever seeks to be as close to equilibrium as possible—a constant quest. Mr. John Gehring recounts experiencing extremes and learning equilibrium.

Perspective: Most of us want to stand out, speak up, find our voice. What happens when we perform the radical act of withdrawing and being quiet? https://t.co/OD8i9IexYf

— NCR (@NCRonline) January 9, 2020