“The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “Now is the time of fulfillment. The Community of God is at hand.”
Exercise, meaning to put into active use, is vital for human beings. Included in exercise that is good for us, is spiritual exercise. The phrase Spiritual Exercise, in Catholic circles, is usually associated with St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556). Ignatius was born to great wealth and at a young age, under the tutelage of a relative, became a soldier. Ignatius was schooled early in the militant regimen of soldiering in military campaigns. At approximately 30 years of age, he was severely injured in a battle, making it impossible for him to return to being a soldier. During his long convalescence, he read a book on Christ and books on saints that were in keeping with the regimen of his military life, oriented toward waging war on the enemy that is our human nature. Understanding his need to forge a new path in life, Ignatius invented the path of “holy chivalry.” In part, Ignatius was intent on rejecting the debauchery and violence of military life. He was also intent on imitating the austerities and regimentation of military life. In the three to four years that followed, Ignatius composed the Spiritual Exercise, emphasis on the EXERCISE. He intended them as a 30 day regimen for individual recruits into a well-order life of holy chivalry, “Whoever desires to serve as a soldier of God…should, after a solemn vow of perpetual chastity, poverty and obedience, keep what follows in mind.” Overall, the exercises provided young men with helpful meditations that progressed through 4 themes over 4 weeks; one’s sinful nature, Jesus’ life rejecting sin, Jesus’ death eliciting our sorrow for sin and compassion for suffering, and Jesus’ Resurrection. The process ensured a person’s entry into heaven at the end of their days. For centuries, most men within the Society of Jesus, Jesuits, remained militant on earth so as to gain heaven later on. Then, non-militants, notably their Superior General Pedro Arrupe (1907-1991), following Vatican Council II, shifted away from the militancy of Ignatius’ regimen. True SPIRITUAL Exercises have developed – meaning that which “breathes” in us, “inspires us and enlivens us” to action. Jesuits across the world have thus joined with common people to reject the manipulations of a militant sin-centric theology focusing us on an invented afterlife, to breathe a spirit of human dignity into the world now; to inspire humanity for a respect of human rights across our globe; and to enliven our world with an active spirituality of peacemaking. It is no longer “holy chivalry” which is compelling Jesuits, but the Holy Spirit whom they are listening to. SPIRITUAL EXERCISES reveal to us a Presence; Presence within and beyond, that moves us to loving action – Now. We live in touch with meaning and with practices for equality, economic fairness, and peacemaking. Spiritual Exercise gives us the courage to know, “Now is the time of fulfillment. The Community of God is at hand.”
“To live with the Spirit… is to be a listener. It is to keep the vigil of mystery, earthless and still. One leans to catch the stirring of the Spirit… The soul that walks where the wind of the Spirit blows turns like a weather-vane toward love… It may rejoice in spaciousness of meadow that emulates the freedom of the sky… The soul is all activity.… It holds, as moving earth holds sleeping noonday, the peace that is the listening of the soul. (To Live With the Spirit – Jessica Powers)
Prayer: Spirit of Exercise, we live in a union of contemplation and action.
Question: What exercise does my Spirit need
February 18, 2024 Gospel Mark 1:12-15 First Sunday of Lent