An Ignatian Journey

It has been almost six weeks since i, together with a group, embarked on an Ignatian prayer journey, called the "Nineteenth annotation" retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. We pray according to a series of daily exercises and meet up once a month to share our experiences. Very organized and intentional! Something that does not suit everyone and it's probably the way we are - some work better when things are organized and others just dip into formal prayer exercises as and when.....

I have reached a stage of praying the Incarnation and of course the Nativity passages come up for prayer. Christmas in October! But in a way, it is good that the festive season is not yet here....now i am able to read the nativity passages anew without the influence of all the trappings, that's even found in churches near Christmas.

One thing i noticed as i prayed the birth of Jesus passages - is the really humble surroundings He chose to be born in. Imagine the kind of strong smelling barn, and not too clean animals around. Yet that's how our God came near in order to be really present with humankind who in most cases had locked Him out of their hearts and homes....as i entered the scene in my imagination, i found myself wishing it was a cleaner place....less messy. I found myself wondering what kind of God chooses to come as a helpless human babe - not, precisely, a 'superkid' who would grow up instantly and show the world his powers. Why this acceptance of lowly, humble beginnings? Perhaps to invite humans like us to embrace our humanity, our limitations, our graced creaturehood. This world seems to laud and encourage people to be 'superhuman', the greater the achievements the better......until the creature in his pride forgets his Creator.