IGNATIAN ASSIGNMENT: 2008-2009.
Personal and intimate relationship with Christ
Introduction
Personal and intimate relationship with Christ is the foundation of one's life. That foundation is possible by our total surrender to God. It should be the basic foundation for all religious. They offer themselves to God who is the giver of life and who has called each one of us to the service of his people. In the very words of Fr. Arrupe, we too can say "it is my profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself totally in the hands of God", it is this basic experience, ultimately would lead me on in my religious life. God's generosity is boundless and bountiful. He has called me to become a prophet to his people and to bring the good news to all, the good news of love, peace and harmony with oneself, with the other and with the whole cosmos.
Integration of spiritual life and apostolate:
As we are in the 21st century, we experience the effect of postmodernism in the form of individualism in our religious life. As a student of philosophy I am well aware of the effects of present trends and having been to different apostolate along with my philosophical studies, I have realized that it is the right time to renew my faith with true integration in order to live a meaningful religious life.
Whenever I did my ministry having belief only on me alone, I felt dissatisfaction than fulfillment. When ever some small interventions or challenges are being raised by people I could not accept them rather I would become so restless by asking myself why can’t they understand me? It is only when I shared my feelings to my spiritual father I could find out that I have set myself in gratifying my own glory rather than the glory of God. At this juncture Fr. Arrupe's letter opened up my heart and I could go back to the happiest moments that I have had in my ministry and in my relationships with others in the past.
Whenever I could find God in people and could serve without expecting any reward from them, I was filled with joy, regardless of any challenges. When I saw the committed doctors who were working for AIDS patients in the
‘Simplicity of life’ - the call of today:
In this fast developing world we need to learn to love people and use things. Simplicity does not mean leading a poor lifestyle but it is the life of sharing one's own talents, time and energy for others in our mission. We need to put a strong emphasis on being more than having more which is the hallmark of poverty as mentioned by Fr. Arrupe. If only we imbibe this attitude we may not become slave to things instead we begin to love the people.
As a student of philosophy, I have experienced this aspect of sharing in our Study Groups, in our Living Groups and in our Province Groups. I had a lot of opportunities to share my views and to listen to my companions' views. As a result of it, our views have broadened and our understandings grew to a new horizon where we have started to respect each other and have learnt to respect each other’s culture. It is also a challenge to each one of us to go directly and radically to the message of the gospel -Love. Let the sharing begin in each one’s heart and in each one’s community so that we may cherish our total commitment to God in the form of our religious vows and bring greater glory to God and to his people.
My experience of God today:
Being a student of philosophy, I have found out that one cannot experience God through pure reason alone. It depends on one’s own simple faith which is characterized by openness and transcendence through love. I remember a family who had inspired me to experience God in my life through their care for others. Though they had very many difficulties, they rendered their service for others gladly with commitment. They taught me the power of simple faith. Each one of the family members stood before the picture of Jesus and prayed. More over they gladly did their work together forgetting their ups and downs. They taught me through their actions, “God is with us’ [IMMANUAL]. They have challenged my knowledge and made me to understand what love is all about. On the one hand as I proceed with my ‘philosophy of religion’ classes, I have come to learn what the simple faith is all about; while on the other hand the contact with the service minded family, has put me in the direct experience of the power of the simple faith. It has nourished my commitment and has made me to see others as humans and not as objects to be used.
Conclusion:
I am sure that these reflections and experiences may lead me and my companions to deepen the true spirit of our founder for our times today. In this globalized world we are called to uphold the dignity of every human person on the planet. This is our renewed faith. Let our lives shine by being more than having more. J. Justin john.
