I was able to hear Alice Camille in person two weeks ago.  She spoke on Transfiguration for Amateurs, and she was, as always, rather insightful!  This was a special treat for me because I thoroughly enjoy her monthly reflections on scripture in US Catholic. 

I continue to ponder and reflect on her words: 

“The first step to freedom in a difficult situation is to no longer participate in the lie.”  

From my own experience, I know this is true.  Acknowledging the reality in any difficult situation is the first step to acceptance.  Acknowledging the loss of a friendship.  Acknowledging the inevitable change that is going to come.  Acknowledging a sickness or addiction that a loved one is struggling with.  Acknowledging whatever loss we are facing.  Once we stop fooling ourselves into believing what is not reality, we can take steps forward to deal with and accept the loss.  Acceptance leads to inner freedom! 

Waking up to the “lie” is hard, though.  Waking up and seeing things really as they are and not what we hoped they are is one of the most challenging things we can do as humans.  The reality of waking up is scary, and it is in those times that turning to our family, our friends, and our faith remind us that we are loved, and that we can get through the hard times.

St. Ignatius in his infinite wisdom has us spend time understanding God’s love for us(First Principle and Foundation)  before we ever really look at our sins and at the “lies” we are wrapped up in our own lives (First Week).  As we see in the Spiritual Exercises, understanding both the depth of love God has for us and our capacity for sin, enable us to freely follow Christ as graced sinners. 

What “lie” do we feel we are currently participating in?
Where do we need to “wake-up” to reality? 

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.