In preparation (or at least in an attempt to prepare) for my departure I've been looking through a book by David Lonsdale called Eyes to See, Ears to Hear: An Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality. My campus minister had given me the book and I decided peeking through it to review Igntian Spirituality definitely couldn't hurt considering it's a huge part of JVC. While I was only reading the introduction there was so much incredible information regarding Ignatian Spirituality. However, the preface titled Preface to the Series (this book is a part of the Traditions of Christian Spirituality Series) really caught my attention.
Composed by Philip Sheldrake (Sarum College, Salisbury), the editor of the seires, he introduces the notion of spirituality in a Christian context while noting the challenges and advantages of composing such a book series. In the process he notes the issue of defining spirituality, especially in a era where spirituality and religion seemed to grow further and further a part. However, his response to this question in regards to the series hits the nail on the head in regards to spirituality in the Christian context:
"Historically, 'spirituality' has been imposed on the experience and a wide range of values and practices...No single definition of 'spirituality' has been imposed on the authors in this series. Yet, despite the breadth of the series there is a sense of a common core in the writers themselves and in the traditions they describe. All Christian spiritual traditions have their source in three things. First, while drawing on ordinary experience and even religious insights from elsewhere, Christian spiritualities are rooted in the scriptures and particularly the Gospels. Second, spiritual traditions are not derived from abstract theory but from attempts to live out gospel values in a positive yet critical way with specific historical and cultural contexts. Third, the experiences and insights of individuals and groups are not isolated but are related to the wider Christian tradition of beliefs, practices, and community life. From a Christian perspective, spirituality is not just concerned with prayer or even with narrowly religious activities. It concerns the whole of human life, viewed in terms of a conscious relationship with God, in Jesus Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within a community of believers."
I could not think of a better way to describe what Christian Spirituality is. Better yet, Ignatian Spirituality (being a form of Christian Spirituality) is very visible in this description, or at least from my experience. Consequently it makes sense that a core value of JVC's mission, a Catholic service organization, would be "Spirituality." Just thinking about it gets me wicked amped (being a theology nerd and all)! But back to the point, I believe this adds a certain level of depth to the service Jesuit Volunteers participate in. If we look at the fact, as noted by Sheldrake, spirituality is rooted in scripture, primarily the Gospel. In conjunction with how the traditions are derived from an attempt to live out those gospel values, service becomes a part of the spirituality practiced. Ignatian Spirituality is all about being contemplatives in action. This interwoven connection is visible in some popular scripture regarding service from the Gospel of Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me."
A final quote from my favorite theologian and saint, St. Augustine of Hippo. From his work Faith, Hope and Charity (can you see the themes of Christianity from 1 Corinthians 13?) or the Enchiridion. He says,
"Now, once the mind has been endowed with the beginning of faith which works through love, it tends through right living to attain to sight where dwells for the holy and perfect of heart that ineffable beauty, the full vision of which constitutes supreme happiness."First note for St. Augustine, the mind and the soul were connected in such a way that the mind was an organ of the soul in a sense. But essentially what St. Augustine is saying here is that happiness is found in God through faith working through love, etc. I won't dive too deep since I also don't have the rest of the text with me at the moment. But connect this with Christian spirituality; living the gospel, seeing God in the everyday, contemplatives in action with true happiness is found in God who just happens to be love. Theologically speaking, this upcoming year is going to be wicked awesome...both theologically and non-theologically.
So I'm a bit excited and didn't expect to write (or quote) as much as I did. Regardless, this upcoming year is going to be awesome, challenging, difficult, revealing, loving, and life changing as I go with my fellow Jesuit Volunteers, Jessica and Mike to South Dakota, to serve among the Lakota Sioux. Keep us in your prayers!
No comments:
Post a Comment