Continuing with the series of articles written by Fr. Sunny Jacob SJ, we present “Spiritual Conversation and Communal Discernment – Part 2”. These articles are a guide to help us understand what, why, and how of Spiritual Conversation.
Spiritual Conversation and Communal Discernment – Part 2
Why Spiritual Conversation?
Discernment: Scriptural support
Spiritual discernment is not alien to the scripture too. Here are a few examples from the Scripture: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment…” Philippians 1:9
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere”. James 3:17
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door”. Matthew 24:32-3
Examples of Sp. Conversation
The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman (John 4: 1-42).
The conversation between the disciples of Emmaus and Jesus (Lk 24: 13-35).
The conversations of Ignatius after his conversion: «At this time in his life, he had been eager for some time for spiritual discussions and meeting persons who were capable of them. (A Pilgrim’s Journey n° 34).
The conversations between Ignatius of Loyola, Francis-Xavier and Peter Favre in their tiny room in Paris (A Pilgrim’s Journey n° 82).
The conversations between the person who gives the Exercises and the person who receives them (SE 21).
The conversations within the Holy Trinity « Let us make man in our own image » (Gen 1: 26); «Let us work the redemption of the human race » (SE 101-109).
Most Required: to become aware of our feelings, desires and longings
The Holy Spirit leaves traces of his passage in our “feelings,” a term that covers our sensations, emotions and sentiments, our interior movements. Consequently, one of the first questions I need to ask myself is, “In such a situation do I have agreeable or disagreeable feelings – energy or fatigue – interest or boredom – joy or sadness, peace, fear, clarity, confusion, tears, anger?” The second question, “What need/desire/aspiration, satisfied or unsatisfied, do my feelings reveal: communion, participation, compassion, security, respect, liberty, truth, creativity, exploration, time, space, food, rest, relaxation, hygiene, sexuality…?” Becoming conscious of our ‘feelings’ helps us to become conscious of our needs/desires/aspirations.
Interiority
In our personal life, or that of a group to which we belong, what enables us to recognize that a sentiment of joy, or of peace, is generated by the Holy Spirit. When this sentiment is linked to the satisfaction of our fundamental aspiration to live together, thanks to the effort of one another, you and me, all of us, united, first of all, to all of those whose needs are the most ignored. When this sentiment is accompanied by a consciousness that the origin of the sentiment is a gift that comes from God and that this gift unites us to Him, and to one another in the gratitude of receiving all from Him.
– When it lasts over time without anyone doing anything to stimulate,
– When it is gentle, neither shrill nor boisterous.
For more precision, it is important to refer to the rules of discernment.5
Why interiority?
Our needs and desires, are signs of our participation in the Trinitarian interdependence. From an evolutionary point of view, we are inter-dependent, inter-linked, inter-related and inter-connected with all and everything. We live, move and progress in communion as a web of life. The Spirit, in fact, creates communion among us. One of the most profound aspirations of everyone is to be able to take pleasure in living together, thanks to our attention to one another and for one another. The fundamental question, therefore, is, “What will give us more life and joy, here and now, for you and for me, simultaneously?” especially to those in greater need.
“As Fr. Nicolas always insisted, … a depth of interiority and a depth of reflection that allows us to understand reality more deeply and thus to serve more effectively.”*
Spiritual Conversation leads to communion.
The divine Energy of communion is suggested by the use of this small word: “AND”. It permits me to respect your needs AND my needs, AND those of everyone simultaneously, right here and now. This Energy brings us present to one another, one for the other, each one because of the other. It is the divine Energy of communion that we ask for in prayer in order that no one dominates another and that no one is dominated by another.
This is true of the Persons of the Trinity in whose image we are conceived: They live One thanks to the Other, One for the Other, with a sensitivity One towards the Others, without One dominating the Other or being dominated by the Other. The Father doesn’t take advantage (with arrogance and pride) of being the Source… and the Son rejoices in receiving everything from this Source. The Father says: ‘Be’ and the Son says: ‘Yes’, always in an eternal Present (See: John 17: 21).
These are all showing us how important and dear Spiritual Conversation is to the Jesuit ways.
GC 36, Decree 1. 33
