I'm a Mystic (And So Are You)

Latest article up on Catholic Stand, text below! Inspired by the Ignatian retreat I recently took. I will be doing another - this one with a full hour of prayer a day! - during Lent, so I have a feeling there's more where this came from.

I'm a Mystic and So Are You

Earlier this month I participated in my first ever retreat, called “The Retreat in Daily Life.” It was a week-long retreat which took place in tandem with my work day; 30 minutes of prayer on my own in the morning, complemented by 30 minutes of scheduled discussion with a spiritual guide in the afternoon at my nearby church.

The retreat was designed to help participants put the exercises of Ignatian Spirituality into practice. This form of contemplative prayer, which uses one’s imagination and senses to meditate more deeply on Scripture, asks us not only to recognize God in every aspect of our lives, but to come to know Jesus intimately as a friend: one with whom you can converse, at any time.

Within the first couple days of this experience, it became clear to me that I had found something deep, unique, and revelatory. The biggest revelation was this: Jesus really is my friend. He really is always present. And to reach Him – as if I were a sage or mystic – is really not all that mystical or even difficult.

Find God in All Things First

Ignatian Spirituality- named for St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits – maintains a few tenets, one of which is that God is in everything, everywhere. On the first day of the retreat I prayed for “gratitude and wonder that I have been invited into the Mystery that is God’s ongoing creation.” I prayed the Wisdom of Solomon 11:21-12:1, which states that God’s Spirit “is in all things.”

That morning as I looked around my home I asked myself if I believed God is in all things. If true, that means that God made the stars, and loves them, and also made me – and loves me. Of course what we know of God is that He loves His children above all other creation, which means He loves me more than all of the stars in the entire universe. I held that image in my mind: the contrast between the limitless, glowing, expanding universe, full of stars and explosions, and me, His child that He gave His life to save. He would choose me – and you – over the stars any day.

Looking at God, Looking at You

To pray in the Ignatian way, one must place oneself in the scene of Scripture enough to experience it with all the senses: the heat of the sun, the movement of the water, the smell of the candle burning. When we meditated on Jesus healing the leper, it was almost too much for me and I understood the Scripture in a new way: I am the leper.

As the week and the mediations progressed, little bits of knowledge came through. Whether hearing St. Paul ask the Romans “If God is with us, who is against us?” (Romans 8:31) or being reassured by Isaiah, “Fear not,” (Isaiah 43:1-7), I gained a deeper understanding of God, myself, and our relationship.

For the first time, the things I had been hearing my whole life had real, personal meaning: God only wants what’s best for me. He created me out of love, and knows me perfectly. Nothing can be done to earn God’s love, because it just is. Above all, He is always present for me.

Jesus Is a Conversation Away

Before experiencing this retreat, I realized I did see God as farther away, as if He were remote and I was unable to give Him the proper credit due for really being omnipresent. I had mistakenly thought it was me waiting for Him. Turns out it is the other way around, and He is the one waiting.

That is why it’s not difficult to become an “armchair mystic,” accessing Jesus at any moment. Jesus is delighted in our presence. He is thrilled to know we are showing up and listening. This form of prayer challenges one to put into action the beliefs we take for granted, and by doing so, truly come to know Him.

In making the choice to enter into a close relationship with God, we free ourselves to be just who He created us to be, which is the ultimate form of worship. With Lent approaching, it is a good time to consider taking a retreat or spiritual study that allows you to make the choice to be truly close to God— whether in the Ignatian tradition or otherwise— and in the process, learn more about who you are, as God made you.

If you are unable to spend the time or resources on a trip away, there are  many convenient retreats offered online. Searching “online Ignatian retreat” yields multiple results; here’s one to get you started.

As with all spiritual seeking, the purpose is to grow closer to God, no matter which approach you take. How wonderful that the mystical experience of knowing God personally is only a prayer away.

The Retreat in Daily Life

I have never been on retreat before, and as 2016 came to a close I promised myself I would look for an opportunity to go on retreat early this year. Then, I came across a retreat being put on in DC, one I had seen last year which involves at-home meditation along with a daily meeting with a spiritual director. Best of all, the focus is Ignatian prayer and spirituality, which is a sort of prayer that has always fascinated me. It involves studying scripture, often using one's imagination to experience the full scene of the Gospel at hand: the heat of the sun, the clothing on your back, and, most importantly, how Jesus looks and sounds right in front of you. You are always encouraged to speak with Jesus, as a friend, and ask yourself questions like, "What does my reaction to this scene tell me about me? Tell me about my relationship with God?"

So every day this week I am waking up early for 30 minutes of prayer and reflection. Did you know it's actually not all that hard to pray for 30 minutes? At least not the Ignatian way, because even that song playing in your head is a part of the experience. Or the distraction about an email you need to send, a conversation you must have, the things you must pick up from the store, are all okay.

What I'd like to share is the remarkable beauty of this form of prayer. It is interesting how each person can get a different impression from the same exercise; how you feel about "watching" the sermon on the mount may differ from how I feel; or the way a certain Psalm strikes you, that is to stay, how God speaks to you in that passage or parable.

During our opening session, the meditation was Luke 5:12-16, wherein Jesus heals a leper. After hearing the passage read aloud, we watched the scene from afar in our minds, coming closer, eventually being a physical participant, as Jesus heals the lepers and departs to the desert. We were asked to not only feel the cure ourselves, but to look at Jesus, looking at us, and to accompany him to the desert.

It sounds like a simple exercise, but for me it was deeply emotional. And all I could think was, "I am the leper." There is a part of each of us - and maybe it is not a part, but the whole - that needs to be healed, of something. That is what it means to be human, to be deep into a world that does not always honor us as spiritual beings. Anxiety, depression, feelings of worthlessness - whatever that fear and sadness is that keeps us from God, which needs to be healed - that is why I am the leper, that is why we are all the leper. And yet, Jesus look at each one of us with love, always. 

I am seeing some themes emerge as I work my way through the week's meditations, mostly related to fear and love and the sheer expanse of God's care and interest in us as his creation. It's a large topic - as large as the universe - and I do not expect to have answers by the end of this week. But I am open to where the process takes me, and am joyful for the opportunity to meet Jesus in this new and personal way. It can only mean good things.

Lessons in Leadership from St. Thomas More

My most recent article for Catholic Stand was published this month, entitled "Lessons in Leadership from St. Thomas More." I was inspired by a visit to the exhibit on the life of St. Thomas More at the St. Pope John Paul II Center in DC, as well as all the change happening politically in our country. St. Thomas More was an example of leadership then, as now. The original article can be accessed here, and the body is copy/pasted below. Enjoy!

Lessons in Leadership from St. Thomas More

St. Thomas More, patron saint of civil servants, statesmen, and politicians, lived a life of moral courage. A 15th-16th century saint, More was poet, author, lawyer, scholar, and Lord Chancellor in the British monarchy during Henry VIII’s scandal-ridden reign. For adhering to his Catholic faith, and silently refusing to acknowledge King Henry’s divorces and marriages, St. Thomas More went from trusted advisor to royal prisoner.

As big elections and leadership transitions occur across the globe, there are a few things the humble St. Thomas More can teach everyone – especially elected leaders – about governing with courage and authenticity.

Religious Freedom is Nonnegotiable

It was because of his religion that St. Thomas More ultimately left his coveted role in Henry VIII’s government, and later lost his life. In short, Henry, a Catholic, demanded an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Thomas More knew this was contrary to Church teaching, and combined with Henry’s increasing hostility to the Church, could not be a witness or supporter of Henry’s policies. To the very end, even when locked in the Tower of London, St. Thomas More never agreed to testify against his beliefs or his Church.

Religious freedom is the greatest of Americans’ freedoms, and we believe the right to worship according to one’s conscience is nonnegotiable. Unfortunately, the fight for religious freedom is a constant battle. The world needs leaders who recognize this sacred, inherent right to believe, and not just respect the right, but fight for it. Conscientious objection, public prayer, free observance of faith-centered holidays, and all the elements that make up a free religious life, make for a strong nation. St. Thomas More understood this, and those leading our modern world need understand also.

Diplomacy Matters

Interestingly enough, More never formally condemned Henry VIII’s actions. His final words, just before he was beheaded, were that he was “The king’s good servant, but God’s first.” In the award-winning movie, “A Man For All Seasons,” which depicts More’s finals years and relationship with Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey tells More that Henry needs a son, viewing the need as justification for the annulment and remarriage. He asks More, “What are you going to do about it?”

More’s response: “I pray for it daily.”

Rather than wade into the political fight, More remained neutral, yet loyal to both his God and his King. St. Thomas More chose to stay above petty politics and knew nothing could be gained by declaring public enemies. All too often, our own politicians rely on personal attacks to make their point, but what the world needs now are level heads and productive dialogue, maintaining peace as the ultimate goal.

Keep Family Close

Although he held demanding state duties, St. Thomas More was primarily a family man, with a devout home full of visitors and those he mentored. He had a strong relationship with his daughter, Margaret, who he educated equally alongside his sons, and his wife was his confidante and counselor.  For More, his family relationship was his top priority after a relationship with God.

Keeping family first will help leaders when things get complicated on the world stage. The support of loved ones, and a sense of correctly ordered priorities, makes a difference both in one’s mental and emotional health, but also in decision making. As the great St. Pope John Paul II said, ““As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” It is imperative that today’s leaders make decisions that will strengthen families.

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

In another great line from “A Man For All Seasons,” Thomas More says, “I believe, when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.” In all things, More sought the moral, just route. Speaking of morality is a politically incorrect thing now as it was in Henry VIII’s day, but that did not stop More and it shouldn’t stop today’s leaders, either.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Thomas More, I recommend watching “A Man for All Seasons.” Also, if you live in the DC area, the St. Pope John Paul II Shrine is having an exhibit on St. Thomas More’s lifeuntil March. Lastly, take a look at some of his writings, which include the novel Utopia and his famous “The Prayer in the Tower,” to get a personal sense for the man and saint.

St. Thomas More, patron of statesmen, pray for us and our world in this time of change!