Nothing is more practical

February 9, 2010

On my desk sits a framed copy of a writing from Pedro Arrupe, SJ.    I was first introduced to this when I was on our junior year retreat in high school by one of my all time favorite religion teachers, Mrs. Eldringhoff.  The significance of this poem has resurfaced time and time again in my life over the last fourteen years.  About a year ago, I found myself struck once again by the power of Arrupe’s words. Since then, this poem has sat framed on my desk, and I daily let its words soak and deepen in me. 

Nothing is more practical than finding God, 
That is, than Falling in Love 
In a quite absolute final way. 
What you are in love with 
What seizes your imagination,
Will affect everything. 
It will decide
What will get you out of bed in the morning, 
What you do with your evenings, 
How you spend your weekends, 
What you read,
Who you know,
What breaks your heart, and 
What amazes you with joy and gratitude.  
Fall in love, stay in love,
And it will decide everything. 
Today, simply let Fr. Pedro’s words deepen within us.  Let’s be mindful and aware of which words or phrases tug at our hearts.  

Have we fallen in love in a quite absolute, final way?

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.

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *