“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.
When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name.
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Meister Eckhart once said the spiritual life has much more to do with subtraction than with addition. We have to subtract our stubbornness, our tired habits, and our egos. It’s what St. Ignatius tries to accomplish in us in the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises. He knew we can be our own spiritual worst enemies, tripping over our best intentions and confusing our best selves, unable to allow the unconditional love to flow as God intended as we carry all our spiritual, emotional, and relational baggage. Let go. Unlearn. That’s what I think Jesus is getting at when he says “do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.” He’s asking us to see God as if for the first time, and to have the courage to let go of our stuff. Subtract. Be less, so God can be so much more.
What is God asking you to honestly subtract today? And do you trust that God will give you so much more when you do?
—Deacon Chuck Thompson is the Director of Adult Ministry at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
When the Spirit of truth comes,
will we be ready?
Will we allow ourselves to be led
to God’s compassion, healing and mercy?
Will we stop getting in our own way
and let God speak through our words and deeds?
Will we let God continue to bless us,
to hold us, to love us, and to walk with us in these tough times?
And will we ask in the name of the Father above,
in the name of the Messiah of the World,
in the name of the most perfect Advocate?
To heal us once again.
—Deacon Chuck Thompson
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The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions
Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.
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Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.
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