What is "C. Review" in the Fifth Addition of the Spiritual Exercises?

July 28, 2020

'Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field."  He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man...the good seed are the children of the kingdom...the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."  '

Matthew 13:36-43 (the parable of the weeds of the field)

Write these words, my child.

I am ever near.

There is nowhere you can go that I am not right there beside you.  I have shown you the way. Never fear.

My life is yours. I am in you and with you, and I go before you to prepare the way.

Trust in me at all times.  This too will pass.  (the virus).  Do not forget, but remember: I am ever near.  I am always beside you to guide you, and to lead you home.

There are many who suffer, they do not know my Presence, my Love, my Concern for them.  The time is right.  Speak and you will be heard.  Shout from the rooftops what you know in your heart.

The Lord is near, and he will never abandon you or forsake you.

Be at rest, and trust in my love. For I have given my all for you, you who are called by my Name.

Never fear.

Be of good cheer.

The Lord is near.

Amen.  Alleluia.  Amen.

***

Such peace in my prayers today.

The Gospel reading spoke to my heart, through the reflection in my French missalette, Prions en église.  Jesus has blessed us in that he explains the parable of the weeds of the field, revealed to us today what he meant so many years ago. And the focus for me was blessed by the words of the meditation in French:

MEDITATION, drawn from Prions en église, English translation...

(Matthew 13:36-43)  Concerning the parable of the weeds in the field, I understand at least one thing:  the good seed is sown in me thanks to Christ.  The Holy Spirit then acts in me so that this grain germinates and produces fruits of hope to nourish my life.

I felt led to continue my reflections and meditations for this month using a book by Margaret Silf entitled, LANDSCAPES OF Prayer, FINDING GOD IN YOUR WORLD AND YOUR LIFE.

This meditation was entitled MOUNTAIN.

The author took me on a journey to the Queensland peaks of Australia. I am not a traveler, very happy to spend my vacations at home with my like-minded husband, Jack.  But I felt I was there through the images in this book and her descriptions of the beauty and changes of different mountain peaks, the extreme heat, the cold, the sudden, and at times fearsome, unexpectedness of nature and weather.

Then she spoke of the inner mountains we visit.  This I understood.  We did travel to New Hampshire and the mountains there.  Having experienced a herniated disk, I stayed behind at the condo, while my husband, with great joy, climbed with family members.

But I remembered the mountains I climbed in prayer there, as being even higher.

I also recalled this morning my mountaintop experiences, many that brought me healing, filling me with warmth and light so bright, I thought I should open my eyes physically and see it.

I remembered moments, in groups, or alone, when the Presence of God was palpable, sweet and heavy, enveloping me as with the softness and gentleness of giant cotton balls.

Jesus in the parable, speaks of the reality of the Kingdom.

Jesus in my experiences, has given me a taste of heaven.

This pandemic has us isolated, but we are never alone. His sweet Presence and Love is always near.  I have nothing to fear.  I can trust this God with my family, with my friends, with my life.

I know where I am going, for he goes before me to prepare the way.

This has been a morning prayer full of life, promise, hope, and trust.

Thanks be to God.

Amen.

Such Peace and Assurance within. Hope.  Hope is here.

Book: Landscapes of Prayer, Finding God in Your World and Your Life

by Margaret Silf

https://www.kregel.com/books/pdfs/excerpts/9780745955285.pdf

[77]  Fifth Addition C. The Review 

1. After a formal prayer period is finished, I should review what happened during the past hour - not so much what ideas did I have, but more the movements of consolation, desolation, fear, anxiety, boredom, and so on...

2. I should spend about fifteen minutes in such a review. I may find it helpful to jot down the various reflections that strike me so that I can more easily discuss with my director what has been my progress from prayer period to prayer period...

DRAW ME INTO YOUR FRIENDSHIP

The Spiritual Exercises, A literal Translation & A Contemporary Reading

by David L. Fleming, S.J.

First Week, The Contemporary Reading.

What is the First Colloquy to Our Lady?

June 1, 2020  Memorial: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church
"...the disciple took Mary into his own house."
John 19:25-27

When I read these words, my heart felt a gentle tremor, a quivering, a warm feeling.  What can this mean, "into his own home"?

I can bring Mary with me wherever I am, for my heart is my home.  There Jesus resides, and his mother too.

I can see as I look around my home, signs of this visible reality in my life.  I see statues, icons, rosaries, everywhere in my house where I live with my husband.  These are visible realities of the love of Mary around me.

Yet the most important place is my heart.

I remember nights when I prayed the rosary, for my husband and myself, our grandchildren, our children.  I recall answers...
- a phone call that all was well
- a sense of Mary, walking between me and my grandchild asleep in the next room, the hem of her robe gently moving as she passes by me, where I sit praying my rosary
- the touch of her hand on my breastbone and her quiet word in my heart as she brings me to Jesus, and to the Heavenly Father, for the healing of a hurt memory.

She dwells with me, my Heavenly Mother, in my home, in my heart; wherever I go, she also is with me, praying for me, ministering to me, helping me.

Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

I take Mary into my own home too.
The home of my heart.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Thank you Blessed Mother, for these signs of your very real presence in my life.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of your Mother.  Amen.
Thank you for your Love and your Grace.  Amen.


[147] First Colloquy: One colloquy to Our Lady, that she may get me grace from her Son and Lord that I may be received under his standard; and first in the highest spiritual poverty, and - if his Divine Majesty would be served and would want to choose and receive me - not less in actual poverty; second, in suffering contumely and injuries, to imitate him more in them, if only I can suffer them without the sin of any person, or displeasure of his Divine majesty; and with that a Hail Mary.
DRAW ME INTO YOUR FRIENDSHIP, The Spiritual Exercises
A LITERATE TRANSLATION & A CONTEMPORARY READING

The Constitutions of the Society of Jesus and Their Complementary Norms
THE CARE AND WELFARE OF THE SCHOLASTICS IN THE COLLEGES
[345] C. 1 In regard to the recitation of the rosary, they should be instructed how to think or meditate about the mysteries which it contains, so that they may carry out this exercise with greater attention and devotion.

Spiritual Consolation amid COVID-19: What is the Third Rule?

April 15, 2020
excerpt from my spiritual journal this day.

Luke 24:13-35
The Walk to Emmaus

The first thing that stood out for me were the words,
"On the first day of the week,"
I thought immediately 'Monday'; because of course our work lives and daily lives with our children, all of society in fact, see Monday as the first day of the week.
But now I see this "first day" as the day Jesus resurrected, our Sunday.
Sunday is the first day of the week. and like most of us, we walk along discussing the things that have happened to us in our lives during the past week.

So too these disciples are speaking of the recent events of their days, which was all that had happened to Jesus, what they had hoped, and how they had heard that he was alive and that the tomb was empty, as they had been told.

This to me now is the Word we hear at Mass, the readings of the day.

And then Jesus, whom they do not recognize, listens to them recounting the words they had been told.

And Jesus starts speaking to them, explaining the Scripture to them, and here I saw the priest giving his Homily to us, making the Scriptures meaningful for us today.

And Jesus is invited to stay with them, and he does.

Do we not do the same in our prayers at Mass?
"Blessed is he comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!"

And at Table, we remember the words of the Lord at the Last Supper, in the breaking of the bread, the Holy Eucharist. the moment of Consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.

And the disciples, and we too, recognize the Lord in this moment. The church becomes quiet, one can hear a pin drop.  Jesus Christ is here in the Body and the Blood.

And after we receive Communion, our hearts too are warmed, knowing he is with us.

And it does not end there.

This is the Mass, and we are sent out, just as the disciples, who "got up" and "found the eleven and their companions gathered together" and "told them what had happened on the road, and how the Lord had been made known to them in the breaking of bread."
And we praise the Lord too, saying:
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

But it is not enough to stay there.
We must do as we are told: Missa est. Go. The Mass is ended.

Like the disciples at Emmaus, we too must go out and witness to the Lord.

Prayer after Communion this day:
'We pray, O Lord, that the reverent reception of the Sacrament of your Son may cleanse us from our old ways and transform us into a new creation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.'
(Living With Christ, Novalis)

***

In these days of COVID-19, we can still feel "our hearts burn within us" at the time of Communion, despite the closed doors of the church.
Jesus is in the Tabernacle.


We can watch a live-streamed Mass and pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion as the priest offers Communion following the Consecration.  Pray this prayer, trusting in the Lord, and you too will feel your heart burning, quivering, warmed within you.
Christ is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Indeed he is risen!  Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Prayer for Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul,
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

[316] Third Rule. The third: Of Spiritual Consolation.  I call it consolation when some interior movement in the soul is caused, through which the soul comes to be inflamed with love of its Creator and lord; and when it can in consequence love no created thing on the face of the earth in itself, but in the Creator of them all.
Likewise, when it sheds tears that move to love of its Lord, whether out of sorrow for one's sins, or for the passion of Christ our Lord, or because of other things directly connected with his service and praise.
Finally, I call consolation every increase in hope, faith, and charity, and all interior joy which calls and attracts to heavenly things and to the salvation of one's soul, quieting it and giving it peace in its Creator and Lord.
[313-327] Ignatian Rules for Discernment
DRAW ME INTO YOUR FRIENDSHIP, The Spiritual Exercises
David L. Fleming, S.J.

Live streamed Masses:
The Saint Luke Catholic Community
Jesus Light of the World Parish

Live streamed Masses also available at:
EWTN; Salt and Light Television; Vision TV.

What are Guidelines For Thinking With The Church Today?

April 13, 2020

excerpt from my spiritual journal this day...

Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Triduum.

All lived in virtual reality. The 'virtual' was:

- a drawing of Palms for Palm Sunday;

- live-streaming Masses and Zoom Novenas;

- a drawing of a Candle in our window for Holy Thursday;

- a drawing of a Crucifix in my hand for Good Friday's Way of the Cross;

and now...

- the Bells we usually ring at Easter,

silent still,

on the ledge of our home office window...

another drawing perhaps??

But, the reality lives in my heart:

...Peace and Joy within after praying our Zoom group's Rosary Novenas, every evening at 9pm,

now on Day 5 praying the Novena to the Divine Mercy.

...A quivering feeling in my heart each time I pray the Prayer for Spiritual Communion during our live-streamed Masses.

...The assurance of love in community, and a pastoral team that is caring for us, celebrating Masses for us, teaching us via videos on our parish website.

A Lent well lived, despite the pandemic that is around us.

What now will the Easter season bring?

Our transitional Deacon, Francis, has opened doors of hope that prepare the way to the next liturgical event, Pentecost.

And the roses that are strewn are Novenas,

- to Saint Joseph the Worker;

- to Our Lady of Fatima;

- The Ascension of Our Lord;

- the Novena to the Holy Spirit.

How blessed are we!

Thank you, Lord, for your faithful servants who continue to guide and guard. Thank you for your Presence and Love.

Thank you for your Grace.

I see these things now in a new way.

Visible signs of inward reality:

drawings to mark the journey to Easter, of Palms, a Candle, a Crucifix held by a hand with lines of age, and perhaps of Bells waiting to be rung...

Ash Wednesday seems a long time ago, yet it  has only been our Lenten days, just over 40 now.

Ashes to Bells.

The Lord is Risen! Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Indeed, he is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The Contemporary Reading:

[359] 7. We should respect the Christian call to penance and should respond freely to the abstinence and fasting of the prescribed days in the Church year.  We should also continue our personal search for the ways of giving expression to the carrying of our cross daily in our following of Jesus Christ.

[352] GUIDELINES FOR THINKING WITH THE CHURCH TODAY

[315] 2. The good spirit strengthens and encourages, consoles and inspires, establishes a peace and sometimes moves to a firm resolve. To lead a good life gives delight and joy, and no obstacle seems to be so formidable that it cannot be faced and overcome with God's grace. The good spirit thereby continues an upright person's progress in responding to God's continuing invitation.

[313-327] PART 1. Guidelines for Discerning Different Movements

Source:

DRAW ME INTO YOUR FRIENDSHIP, The SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

A LITERAL TRANSLATION & A CONTEMPORARY READING

David L. Fleming, S.J.

What is gratitude in Ignatian Spirituality?

April 3, 2020
John 10:31-42; Psalm 82
excerpt from my spiritual journal

Lord, I want to thank you, for all that you have done for me throughout my life.

You have protected me, and kept me safe, otherwise I would not be here.

You have brought my sons and grandchildren to this day with me.  I am truly grateful.

And here I read today that we are your children through Psalm 82, referenced by Jesus himself.  Children of God.  Children of God. Children of God, Children of God.

No matter how many times we say this, we can never truly comprehend or accept in our hearts the reality of what you have done for us, in making us, calling us, your children.

If this be true, we have nothing to fear (and it is true) not even this pandemic. For even if we die, you are still our Father, and you shall bring us home.

How Good you are to us, dear God.

Thank you for wisdom and grace, for  practical knowledge in everyday life, and for spiritual knowledge to know the things that are better for us, the more, as Ignatius would say, that we can walk and live and be in your ways.

Thank you Lord for your Presence, which brings peace and comfort to the heart.  Knowing your love and care brings great consolation to us in these difficult times, for many are suffering.

Hear our prayers dear Lord, for suffering humanity; hear dear Lord the cries of your children, and come to our aid.
In Jesus' Holy Name.  Amen.

Mother Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, pray for us.
All the angels and saints, pray for us.

And may the Mercy of God be with us and remain with us, forevermore.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Amen.
André Rieu - Pie Jesu
Pie Jesus, lyrics below in Latin and in English

Excerpt from letter from Saint Ignatius to Father Simao Rodrigues
Rome, March 18, 1542
"...the grateful acknowledgment of blessings and gifts received is loved and esteemed both in heaven and on earth." 

"Pie Jesu" Latin lyrics
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tolls peccata mundi
dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu, pie Jesu
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei, Agnus Dei
Qui tollis peccata mundi
Dona eis requiem, dona eis requiem
Sepiternam
Sempiternam
Requiem

"Pie Jesu" English translation
Merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
Merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus, merciful Jesus
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God
Father, who takes away the sins of the world
Grant them rest, grant them rest
everlasting
everasting
Rest

Be a Contemplative in Action

March 29, 2020
excerpt from my spiritual journal

The raising of Lazarus, John 11:1-45

Do not fear, my child.  I am with you. I shall not abandon you.

When Lazarus was sick, I was with him.  When he passed, I was with him.  When he walked out of the tomb, even then I was with him.  So am I with you.

There will never be a time in your life that I will not be with you.  For as it is written, I am with you to the end.

Trust in me, my child, and lean not on your own understanding.  These times are hard for many.  In their hearts they suffer. In their bodies they suffer.  Yet I am with you.

When you pass from this world I shall be with you, for I was there at the moment of your conception, when you were a thought in your Father's mind, and I too was there, from the beginning, as it is written.  Will I leave you at the hour of death, No, for I am in you and with you always.  So too when it is time, I will be with you and take you to where I am.

Pray, my child.  Always pray.  And trust in me.  As it is written...

I am the Resurrection and the Life.

Shall not he who is risen from the dead also be there when you pass from this world into the next?  Yes, I tell you.  And as it is written...
You shall rejoice and be glad.

Trust in me my child and lean not on your own understanding.

Amen.

~ ~ ~

Here now we read, in the midst of the corona virus, the story of the raising of Lazarus from the tomb.

The story of Lazarus, from the Book of John.  And the Book of John is a book of signs.

And now the sign is for our own time, in a way more real than ever, and more needed than ever.

Let us pray for those who have passed from this world, and for those who are passing now, that the Lord accompany them to their eternal home with him just as he was with them when they entered this world at the moment of their conception.

I am the Resurrection and the Life, says the Lord.

May the Lord take their hand at the moment of their death and lead them home.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord.

Pray continually for those passing from this world.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Amen.
How to pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet

What is "Grace enough" - for my own heart; for others?

"Grace enough"...For My Own heart

February 5, 2020 excerpt from my spiritual journal

"Jesus came to his home town, and his disciples followed him."  Mark 6:1

Jesus comes to my heart; and I follow him there.  He speaks to me what is best for me, giving me guidance, and comforts me.  When Peace reigns in my heart, I know he is there.  And in times of trial and tribulation, even then I know His Presence, I know he is there.  Else I would not stand.  I am able to walk through the difficult times because he reigns in my heart.  I watch, I guard my heart.  Why would I not?!  Who would not lock the doors of their home to keep it safe?!  Yet the enemy of human nature is stealthy, tries to build a nest that is not his own and enter in.  Even then, there is a guard at the door of my heart.  For I am never alone.  My own thoughts guide me.  The angels and saints surround me.  And Mother Mary has me under the mantle of her love.  Never fear.  Be of good courage.  Do not lose heart.  Be not afraid.  Trust in the Lord.  These words guide me and guard me. For I am the Lord's and he is mine.

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"Grace enough"...For Others

February 8, 2020 excerpt from my spiritual journal

The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.  He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while."  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.  And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.  Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.  As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.  Mark 6:30-34

Even in our tiredness, there is always a need.  And that which is strongest in us will prevail.

Help for others is always there.  Love and compassion that come from the Heart of Christ is always there within us, and when the moment is right, He is there, with His power and strength, to help us in all of our needs.  Discernment and wisdom, the Word of God, the desire to serve with a heart of compassion and love, all this will prevail over the fatigue and tiredness that come from the trials of life.

The Lord will prevail for He is Goodness and Truth Himself and His Heart knows no other way.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  Trust in the Lord.  Amen.

Ignatian Rules for Discernment, First Week Rules [313-327] 
[320] Seventh Rule.  The seventh: Let him who is in desolation consider how the Lord has left him in trial in his natural powers, in order to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy; since he can with the Divine help, which always remains to him, though he does not clearly perceive it: because the Lord has taken from him his great fervor, great love, and intense grace, leaving him however, grace enough for eternal salvation.

*Source

DRAW ME INTO YOUR FRIENDSHIP, The SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

David L. Fleming. S.J.

The Seventh Rule Discernment of Spirits, Father Timothy Gallagher OMV