Ignatian Retreat

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. Isaiah 11:6

    Several years ago, I did the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life at Gonzaga University (SEEL). It proved to be one of the most valuable things I ever did. It gave me direction in my prayer life and it taught me how to pray with Scripture.

    This program gives everyone a chance to benefit from the Ignatian Exercises without having to set aside 30 days in our busy lives. Creighton University has the entire program on-line, brilliantly arranged, for us “everyday folks” to use. They have even included a “sharing” place for reflections.

    Take a moment now and check out this wonderful resource. And then, take 15 to 30 minutes a day to enrich your life.

Erica (see her story) has found some new friends.

Called to be Holy

When I did the year long Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL), I was most taken by the call of Isaiah (Is. 6:1-13). The first reason was my fascination with the Seraphim. Six wings are pretty impressive, and I went on a search for a likeness of this amazing creature. My search eventually landed me at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Picayune, Mississippi. They have beautiful statues of the Seraphim on each side of their altar.

Once I had satisfied my pathological “need to know” about the Seraphim I had to address this business of being “called.” I had already come to understand that not only had God always known me, but also everyone else. Not only had I always existed, but also God had a plan for me, just as He does for each of you, gentle reader. This can be a comforting truth, especially if you think yourself useless.

We’re told quite often our first and most important calling is to be holy. It is through our calling that we work toward our holiness. Some of us will have conspicuous callings and others will labor for the Kingdom of God in a more subdued manner. Not everyone can be the star on the top of the Christmas tree. Some of us have to be little ornaments. But together we make up the whole beauty of the tree.

Believe then, the Word of God. You are uniquely chosen, prepared, and guided. When we pray and ask “Thy will be done”, we are taking the first step toward fulfilling our destiny.

Meditation for the day: Isaiah 6:1-13 The Call of Isaiah and Isaiah 45:1-13 to see how God called Cyrus by name and prepared his ways.