November 3, 2010

Seeking – and finding – God in (almost) everything

Book review of "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything"

By Allan F. Wright

Jesuit Father James Martin, author of numerous books including the best-seller “My Life with the Saints,” draws primarily from the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the wisdom of other Jesuits to bring to life an abundance of spiritual and practical insights for living in today’s world full of complexities and confusion.

In “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything,” the insights of St. Ignatius, a 16th-century mystic and saint, are presented as relevant today as they ever were. Through the skillful writing and pastoral nature of Father Martin, the Ignatian way of “finding God in all things” is made accessible to scholar and layperson, believer and nonbeliever alike on each page of this book.

Father Martin’s gift as a writer and storyteller allows the reader to feel right at home with the writings and thought of St. Ignatius, who becomes a friend on the journey rather than an archaic, antiquated saint whose spirituality is out of touch with the 21st-century thinker. Quite the opposite. Questions that confront all people are addressed in this book including: How do I know what I’m supposed to do in life? How do I make good decisions? How can I face suffering? How can I find God? How do I pray? How do I love? All these questions and many more are discussed through the lens of Ignatian spirituality, which is at its core very practical and useful no matter what the generation or century.

“The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything” does not shy away from naming the foundation of St. Ignatius’ life, after his army injury, which was his relationship and commitment to follow Jesus Christ and the teachings in the Gospel. Father Martin does an excellent job of repeatedly going back to the underpinning of all Catholic theology and spirituality which is Jesus himself.

In the chapter titled “The Six Paths,” Father Martin examines the different paths people choose to take in life concerning their relationship or lack of relationship to God. People are often in transition between these paths, but he is insightful about the popular credo that a person can be “spiritual but not religious.”

He aptly points out, “While ‘spiritual’ is obviously healthy, ‘not religious’ may be another way of saying that faith is something between you and God. And while faith is a question of you and God, it’s not just a question of you and God. Because this would mean that you, alone, are relating to God. And that means there’s no one to suggest when you might be off track.”

Later on in a chapter titled “What Do You Want,” Father Martin reflects on his own journey from Wall Street to the seminary and insists that God meets you where you are and that “you are loved even in your imperfections. God already loves you.”

Throughout the book, Father Martin writes about aspects of Ignatian spirituality (the importance of listening, for example), including various quotes from St. Ignatius himself. He also inserts quotes from the Gospels or another Jesuit saint, writer or colleague and then draws from his life experience to make the story come alive. These life experiences are common to us all and the gift in reading this book is that in relating to the real-life stories, we connect our sometimes ordinary daily lives with the life of faith that connects us to God.

The wealth of spiritual insight this book provides is enormous. Although its more than 400 pages might seem intimidating for the average layperson, this user-friendly book responds to the multitude of questions that people ask regarding faith, incorporating the wealth of Scripture, tradition and personal stories to make it an enjoyable journey. Those who are accustomed to the way of St. Francis, St. Therese of Lisieux or Blessed Teresa of Calcutta will find a friend in St. Ignatius.

Allan F. Wright is academic dean of evangelization for the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., and author of “Jesus in the House” and “The Bible’s Best Love Stories,” published by St. Anthony Messenger Press.