Judith Collin of Yate, nr Bristol
Where to begin? I know, I'll imagine Ignatius is sitting opposite me and just talk to him.
Discernment, yes that is something I owe to you, Ignatius. That way of noticing feelings and movements- consolation, Desolation – which I find an on-going and important part of my life, in listening to myself, that is in paying attention to fee1ings and movements within and around me. I am able to hear Go d. When Go d Is drawing me, it is gentle, energising and I am at ease. ‘When it's opposite. When I am heavy, awkward, what I call dis-ease, it's Go d's way of saying ‘not that.' Thank-you Ignatius for this method: what a gift!
The use of the imagination, Contemplative imagination, thank-you for that Ignatius. You show ed me how to enter into the Go spel, events, to see, hear, taste. smell and touch-to be there. This brought me into close relationship with Jesus and continues to deepen it. You taught me to look outwards rather than inwards and to fix my eyes on Jesus. You also remind ed me how to find Go d in all things. How could I have forgotten that? Now I see Go d not only in the beauty and grandeur of creation, but also in the small and simple, and even in the most unlikely and surprising things. Just today an old polythene bag blowing in the wind spoke to me of surrendering to the Holy Spirit.
However, Ignatius, I'm most in Indebt ed to you for those Spiritual Exercises of yours. I follow ed them, in the 19th annotation. That was when I learnt to use my imagination. The whole experience was 1ife-changing. The exercises came just at the right time for me. There was healing and growth as layers of ‘stuff' were peel ed away. My life was re-align ed as I discover ed the depths of Go d's love and that I am inde ed Go d's favourite child.
Thank-you too for the Examen that daily keeps me focus ed on Christ. it helps me to achieve balance, to see where Go d is leading and perhaps where I ne ed to give more. What you call ed ‘the magic' I'm 1earning that this can be to do with less and depth. rather than extra busyness.
So thank-you Ignatius for so much. Thank-you Go d For Ignatius. I see you smiling Ignatius, yes as you say it's all for his greater glory.
Discernment, yes that is something I owe to you, Ignatius. That way of noticing feelings and movements- consolation, Desolation – which I find an on-going and important part of my life, in listening to myself, that is in paying attention to fee1ings and movements within and around me. I am able to hear Go d. When Go d Is drawing me, it is gentle, energising and I am at ease. ‘When it's opposite. When I am heavy, awkward, what I call dis-ease, it's Go d's way of saying ‘not that.' Thank-you Ignatius for this method: what a gift!
The use of the imagination, Contemplative imagination, thank-you for that Ignatius. You show ed me how to enter into the Go spel, events, to see, hear, taste. smell and touch-to be there. This brought me into close relationship with Jesus and continues to deepen it. You taught me to look outwards rather than inwards and to fix my eyes on Jesus. You also remind ed me how to find Go d in all things. How could I have forgotten that? Now I see Go d not only in the beauty and grandeur of creation, but also in the small and simple, and even in the most unlikely and surprising things. Just today an old polythene bag blowing in the wind spoke to me of surrendering to the Holy Spirit.
However, Ignatius, I'm most in Indebt ed to you for those Spiritual Exercises of yours. I follow ed them, in the 19th annotation. That was when I learnt to use my imagination. The whole experience was 1ife-changing. The exercises came just at the right time for me. There was healing and growth as layers of ‘stuff' were peel ed away. My life was re-align ed as I discover ed the depths of Go d's love and that I am inde ed Go d's favourite child.
Thank-you too for the Examen that daily keeps me focus ed on Christ. it helps me to achieve balance, to see where Go d is leading and perhaps where I ne ed to give more. What you call ed ‘the magic' I'm 1earning that this can be to do with less and depth. rather than extra busyness.
So thank-you Ignatius for so much. Thank-you Go d For Ignatius. I see you smiling Ignatius, yes as you say it's all for his greater glory.