Inspiring Ignatian Quote #8

When I first read this quote, I thought it was a bit selfish, surely we should help others if we see the need, right? . . . but then the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. You can’t give to others what you don’t already possess. The wisdom of Jesus’ words from Matthew’s Gospel (7:3-5) came to mind:

“Why do you se the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or, how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye, ‘ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” Jesus goes so far to suggest that it is actually hypocrisy to act in this way. Ouch!

I think this also ties in with yesterday’s quote: “Speak little, listen much.”, especially it we are ‘setting about to make others better’. Quite often when we are irritated about what someone else does it is because it is something which we would like to improve in ourselves as well. I do think there are people who are put in our paths for a reason . . . some are mirrors to show back to us what we look like to others. Sometimes the reflection is unexpected, but necessary for our awareness.

One of the things I love most about Ignatian spirituality, is the use of inserting ourselves into scripture by using our imagination. In this instance (Matthew 7:3-5), it might be interesting to imagine that you are someone in the crowd to whom Jesus is speaking. Ignatius urges us to read before and after the verse we want to contemplate, to get a sense of the place, the time of year, the people . . . is there running water from the Jordan River to hear? Perhaps the saltwater smell from the Sea of Galilee? Is it daytime, sun shining? Is he in a town, dusty, noisy, near a marketplace? What do you hear? . . . smell? . . . see around you? Create as much of a detailed image as you can. Then read the pertinent scripture. Who are you? Are you the one being “helped by someone setting about to better me?”, or am I the one trying to better someone else? How do Jesus’ words feel if they’ve struck a nerve? What will we do about it? I find it helpful to write down the verse, after I’ve chosen it, so that I can focus solely on the words I want to contemplate/ meditate upon.

Next time we set about to better others, let’s make sure we are in a position to do so with love, grace and humility, and, that we are prepared to keep bettering ourselves before we work on others.