IGNATIAN EXERCISES
Knowing Jesus more intimately, loving him more intensely, and following him more closely.
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Ignatius of Loyola shaped the influential spiritual work Spiritual Exercises from his own inspired experiences of discerning his path toward union with God. Ignatius compiled his discoveries into an innovative and detailed way of aligning his love toward God with the hopes of helping participants grow in their intimacy with Jesus and gain vocational clarity. This time-tested program is what has come to be known as the Spiritual Exercises.
The Ignatian Exercises place participants, first Person, into the drama of the biblical story by first affirming God’s friendship with us through several weeks of Scripture reflection.
Once firmly established in God’s friendship the first phase of the Exercises helps us explore the ways we get in our own way of receiving this gift of love that God offers.
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The good news found in the second phase, describes God’s faithful kindness demonstrated by sending Jesus to restore human relationship with God and provide mentorship to humanity in how to live life within the bonds of friendship with God and others. Along the way we are offered many opportunities to consider life altering decisions as we learn how to discern.
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The third act provides redemptive hope as we witness God’s sacrificial love. We are urged to return friendship to Jesus in his time of suffering and to notice what Godly love looks like as we examine our own motivations and desires.
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In the final phase we are exhorted to embrace resurrection life by living in new ways in old places. Sometimes we may be invited to live in a new place or do new concrete things to follow the resurrected Jesus into the world, but it is more common to occupy the place we already live differently in light of our greater intimacy with God.
Each of these phases will offer ways of praying through the story, rather than simply reading them. The hope is that your story will converge with Jesus’ in powerful ways.
Currently the 9-month (19th Annotation) and 12-week (18th Annotation) forms of the Exercises are offered either individually or in a group format. Email me to talk about the costs and the time commitments. Ignatius always encouraged adaptability and flexibility so I'm confident we can come up with a plan that works for you.
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