14th February 2010

“Ignatian Spirituality” is concretely lived; it is “caught” and not “taught.”   Ignatian spirituality is about God being concretely and constantly present in our lives.  He is involved in every thought, word and deed of ours.  We cannot get more “concrete” and more “real” than this!

The paradox remains: We ask for more talks, prayer sessions and organised discussions to learn about “Ignatian Spirituality,” yet the attendance so far has been disappointing.  For St Ignatius of Loyola, what ultimately really counts is putting our faith in God into practice in our daily living.  He says in the Spiritual Exercises, “Love is shown more in deeds than in words.” 

If each of us tries to be more fully conscious of this and live this out, our Parish community will experience a qualitative change for the better: we will become more Chirst-centered.

One example: We all have aged parents, relatives, friends, or people we know who are sick and in need of not only medical, but also emotional and spiritual support and care.  Living the “Ignatian Spirituality” is concretely caring for them daily.  Our Parish provided this opportunity last Saturday, when we organised a Special Mass for the elderly and sick, together with the Sacrament of Anointing . . . 

Let us each spend some time in silence this week as we approach the Lenten season.  Let us allow God’s presence in our lives to “come alive” and live a more Christ-centered life.  That’s “Ignatian Spirituality”!

Yours in Christ,

Fr Philip Heng, S.J.

Read last week's article

HOMILIES WRITTEN BY FR PHILIP HENG,S.J.