HOME SOME THEMES IN ENGLISH SPIRITUAL
EXERCISES VIA INTERNET
SIX STEPS OF PRAYING REVIEW OF PRAYER DISTRACTION EXAMINATION OF
CONSCIENCE
CONSOLATION, DESOLATION,
AND DISTRACTIONS
Giuse Phạm Thanh Liêm, S.J.
Consolation and desolation are two very important notions to Saint Ignatius. He recognizes the influences of different spirits by consolation and desolation. One question in review of prayer deals with this “how did you feel?” Saint Ignatius wrote about consolation:
“I call it consolation when an interior movement is aroused in the soul, by which it is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord, and as a consequence, can love no creature on the face of the earth for its own sake, but only in the Creator of them all. It is likewise consolation when one sheds tears that move to the love of God, whether it be because of sorrow for sins, or because of the sufferings of Christ our Lord, or for any other reason that is immediately directed to the praise and service of God. Finally, I call consolation every increase of faith, hope, and love, and all interior joy that invites and attracts to what is heavenly and to the salvation of one’s soul by filling it with peace and quiet in its Creator and Lord” [316].
God loves human beings so very much. He creates human beings to share His eternal life with them. He wants human beings to be peaceful, joyful, and happy not only in the future but also in this day, not only in their worldly day but also in their prayer. In another word, God wants people to be happy in prayer. Normally therefore, we are in consolation, and recognize at least one of the following:
· peace of soul;
· increase of faith, hope, love, and interior joy;
· tears because of sorrow for sins or of sufferings of Christ;
· love of creature only in the Creator.
For Ignatius, it is the good spirit that guides and counsels us in consolation [318].
Desolation seems to have more impact on our feeling rather than consolation because it causes sadness, tempts us to quit praying. Saint Ignatius wrote:
“I call desolation what is entirely the opposite of what is described in consolation, as darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, inclination to what is low and earthly, restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations which lead to want of faith, want of hope, want of love. The soul is wholly slothful, tepid, sad, and separated, as it were, from its Creator and Lord. For just as consolation is the opposite of desolation, so the thoughts that spring from desolation are the opposite of those that spring from desolation” [317].
According to Saint Ignatius, it is the evil spirit that guides and counsels us in desolation [318]; therefore, do not follow what the evil spirit suggested. Being in desolation if we recognize some feelings like following:
· sad, lazy, empty;
· inclined and tempted to low and worldly things;
· want of faith, want of hope, and want of love;
· darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit;
· unpeaceful.
As we talked above, normally we are in consolation; desolation is not a normal state of person. However if person is desolated in prayer as in his/her daily life, then he/she must look for causes and improve himself/herself. Saint Ignatius told us that there are three reasons for desolation:
· First “because we have been tepid and slothful or negligent in our exercises of piety, and so through our own fault spiritual consolation has been taken away from us”; because of our inordinate and unjust desires, thus we are not peaceful.
· Second because God wishes to train us so that we will advance in His service and praise without the generous reward of consolation and favors;
· Third “because God wishes to give us a true knowledge and understanding of ourselves, so that we may have an intimate perception of the fact that it is not within our power to acquire and attain great devotion, intense love, tears, or any other spiritual consolation; but that all this is the gift and grace of God our Lord” [322].
Except the first case, desolation helps us to have a true knowledge of ourselves. Thus, let us not fear desolation. It is good for us as well. If we are in the first case, let us saying sorry to God, then correct ourselves. Surely we will receive consolation soon.
How do you feel when having some distractions in praying? Probably you feel uncomfortable and unsatisfied! You tried to eliminate them many times but they arrive again and again.
Temptations are what people don’t like but they come again and again. Distraction is the same. Even Jesus had to endure temptations, so why do we want to be exempted? Being human, that means, is to have temptations and distractions. Being tempted is not a sin. We commit sin only if we accept what is suggested us in temptation or distraction.
Don’t feel guilty about distractions and temptations. Don’t fear distraction. It is helpful to know truly yourself by them. These following questions will help you to know and improve yourself by means of distraction:
1. What is your distraction about?
2. What does it means for you?
(If your distraction is offenses
you received, possibly it includes that you didn’t forgive the offenders, so
you need to ask God for the grace to forgive them;
If your distraction is a vainglory dream, possibly it signifies your strong
inclination for worldly glory, thus you need to ask for the grace to humiliate
yourself…)
3. If distractions that tempt you are frequent in your prayer, is it possible that you didn’t have perfect sorrow for that sin? You must sincerely ask God for the grace of repentance, and be careful to avoid the occasion of sin in the future.
HOME SOME THEMES IN ENGLISH SPIRITUAL
EXERCISES VIA INTERNET
SIX STEPS OF PRAYING REVIEW OF PRAYER DISTRACTION EXAMINATION OF
CONSCIENCE
Best wishes to you!
liempham