Spiritual director Ruth Haley Barton writes that the Ignatian practice of discernment helps us to recognize God’s guidance in our lives....an authentic discernment process identifies love as our primary calling. *** Discernment is intended to take us deeper and deeper into the heart of God’s will: that we would follow God.
The Ignatian practice of discernment is a practice about which I know nothing. To the best of my recollection...dicey at best...I've never heard of Ignatian anything.
Yet when I read Barton's article this morning, I was home...gratefully home. I had a new light glowing within me.
I realize that it has been burning for some time, but it got its legs with my share last Sunday morning when I shared about love...about my need and my answered prayer in finding a new definition for love. No one there had mentioned love as such...it wasn't even on the table. That I would mention it...I who can sometimes still get embarrassed just hearing the word...spoke to me even then as I continued with my share.
As usual in my spiritual growth, I thought no more about it, yet two days later, I am realizing the answer to my unasked questions...the answer being love. Love...neither physical nor mental, but love entirely Self birthed, driven and experienced with any personal effort at bay.
Here's my great and glorious blinding flash: From what I read about the Ignatian practice of discernment, that has been my goal for living (imperfectly met) for all of my spiritual-growth years.
Love all, give love, learn to love as God loves...without exception...I was gifted with that knowledge...imperfectly...way long ago. That's the experience of the rough and rugged road we walk. To stumble, fall, doubt, get up believing and carry on, repeatedly, is to be blessed by God and to keep on living it just so, doubting and believing interchangeably. Then...home.
There is no cheap humility; spiritual growth is learning to love and laugh...and practice gratitude.
Thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment