Join us in praying a novena to St. Ignatius, ending on his feast day, July 31!

Day 9, July 31- Contemplation to attain love

Reflect: Towards the end of the text of the Spiritual Exercises, the fourth week culminates in what St. Ignatius calls “contemplation to attain love.” He writes, “First. Love ought to manifest itself more by deeds than by words. Second. Love consists in a mutual communication between the two persons.” Here, St. Ignatius is calling to mind that God “desires to give [us] even his very self, in accordance with his divine design,” and that we, in turn, are called to give God “all [our] possessions, and [ourselves] along with them.” Thus, at the heart of Ignatius’ teachings, is the understanding of this mutual exchange, not only of goods (which we receive from and return to the Lord), but also of persons- for from God we receive God Himself, in Christ, and in turn, to God, we give ourselves. In the example of St. Ignatius, then, let us return to Christ all He has given us: our will, liberty, understanding, memory, our whole selves, our dreams, our possessions. And with open hearts, let us receive not only His good gifts, but Christ Himself.

Pray: The Suscipe

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding, and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours;
do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.