Welcome to the second day of the First Annual People for Others Blog-Alogue (blog dialogue). Today my colleague Tom McGrath, author of Raising Faith-Filled Kids and co-author with Bret Nicholaus of The Meal Box, responds to my question with another question. Clearly he’s been hanging around Jesuits too long. Tom writes:
Paul:
You got our blog-alogue off to a great start by responding to my question, “What’s the one personality trait in St. Ignatius that you most admire?” Constancy? That’s a great quality to raise up in a culture that likes to keep it’s options open.
One of the questions you put to me connects to a trait I admire in Ignatius so I’ll give that one a whack. You asked, “How do you know God loves you?” Not to get too Bill Clinton on you, but it depends on the meaning of “know” y’know? I struggled with the essence of the question of trusting in God’s love for many years until I accepted that there are many ways of knowing beyond the cerebral. Once I was willing to give credence to the wisdom of my body, my intuition, my heart and my soul I realized I have always known God’s love. The main question is whether I will accept it or not.
Which brings me to Ignatius. The trait I admire most in him was his willingness to question his own mental processes and to explore and integrate what he learned from his emotions, his desires, the whole range of his experiences. For someone with a reputation as a cerebral sort, Ignatius offers a great method of welcoming the whole person, fully human and fully alive.
So, Paul, how do you know God loves you? Inquiring minds want to know.
Tom
Blog-logue!, Blog-alogue, the third, Blog-alogue, IV
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Thank you so much for this entry. On Saturday I will lead a prayer retreat that focuses on feelings and imagination. Since it has been so long since I last did anything like this, I have been pleading with Jesus to assure me that I am on the right track. Tom’s words will help me go forward.
Is there a blog length answer to that question??
How do I know that I am Loved by God… Michelle is right that is a biggie… by the many blessings in my life, by the times when I have felt overwhelmed and alone in suffering but somehow know that I am not really alone, by those moments when I have quite litterally felt the push of the holy spirit to speak up for justice or truth, for the moments of healing and peace when I know I have been forgiven, by the gift of Eucharist that sustains me thru each week with all its ups and downs… etc.
What a great question during these weeks when we have been hearing from John in his gospel account and letter! Tom’s ‘it depends on the meaning of “know” y’know’ resonated for me. Intellectually I know I am loved by God, my husband, my guys…., but sometimes I need more than head knowing, I need signs, hugs, assurance with warmth, etc. In my head I also know I do not need to do anything to earn that love, but I find myself working hard to be noticed for the good stuff I do. When I was in the community, I tried very hard to be the ‘good sister’–a very stressful endeavor. In the midst of that I reluctantly made a Cursillo. I was overwhelmed by love unearned, just poured out. I recognized God. It was a transforming experience. In prayer now I picture love poured out constant, cleansing, embracing, warm and inviting.
For years God had to hit me over the head to remind me of her love. How? Well, Ignatius ‘ practices of mindfulness and awareness help me recognize those life moments where God is loving me — and it’s usually not in the cerebral a but in the relief, jubilation, quiet satisfaction or surge of gratitude for a small thing gone right.
Maura,
You’re so right… there is probably no good “blog-length” answer to any good question. It won’t stop us trying!
Paul
Michele,
Isn’t Tom just great? He’s one fo the finest people I know. I’ve never made a Cursillo [Marriage Encounter was enough for me!] but many people have told me that it led them to a profound experience of God’s love for them. I’m glad that you “recognized God” in that experience.
Paul
Terry,
Gratitude for “a small thing gone right.” It made me think of I Kings where Elijah comes to recognize that God is not in the eathquale, fire or wind but in the gentle breeze.
Paul