Like many believers I deeply want to know and act on God’s desires for me in the context of my very human life, however imperfect my discernment and execution may be.  From the Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises, it is nonetheless always shocking to recall that the attachments that can divert me from God include preferences for “health rather than sickness, riches rather than poverty, honor rather than dishonor, long rather than short life, and so in all the rest.”  It is not that these alternatives are bad or good in themselves, but I find it so easy to lose sight of the ultimate treasure in my attachments to health, prestige, privilege, long-life and all the rest.

—Allain Andry is the Charlotte regional coordinator for Contemplative Leaders in Action, an Ignatian spirituality and leadership program for young adults that is a program of the Office of Ignatian Spirituality.  He is also a spiritual director at St. Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC, the Jesuit parish in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Prayer

Oh Lord, send your Holy Spirit
To open my eyes that I may see my many attachments,
To give me the wisdom to acknowledge the ones that pull me away from you, and
To grant me the courage to let them go. 
Amen

—Allain Andry