What a remarkable journey it has
been to participate the past nine months in the SEEL Retreats at
Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center, Hiawatha, IA. From
daily prayer to monthly retreats, it has been a nurturing challenge
to walk in the spiritual disciplines of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The
last contemplation
Ignatius suggests in the “spiritual exercises” is “the contemplation
on Divine
Love.” There are two pre-notes or observations to share from this
contemplation:
1. “Love ought to show itself in
deed over and above words.”
We remember that God’s love is
presupposed before the deeds; that is, our deeds do not earn
God’s love. When our love overflows in deeds, we become aware of
the presence of love, the presence of God.
2. “Love consists in a mutual sharing of goods.”
One who has knowledge shares it
with the one who does not, and this is true for honors, riches,
and so on. In love, one always wants to give to the other. To
share oneself on the deepest level is to share one’s faith,
one’s love for God, one’s hopes and dreams.
A response to the gift and power of
love is found in “Let All God’s Glory Through” by Leo Rock:
God chose us to
show
the face of God’s love
to one another.
We are God’s vocabulary;
living words
to give voice to God’s goodness
in and through our goodness,
To give voice to God’s voice,
to God’s compassion,
tenderness, caring faithfulness
in and through us.
In worship and work with each of you, God’s love is made real.
Together we are
empowered by the Spirit to speak God’s vocabulary of love.
I look forward to worshipping with you
this Sunday.
Blessings, Liz
˙
