As I read through the archives of The Way, I am struck by our authors’ reflection on the rich variety of human experience over the years. Whether in the distant past or recent times, they have taken the pulse that beats at the heart of history and shown us how God has been at work. All human experience holds a perennial vitality, no matter how long its significance may remain hidden from our eyes. Their writing has measured the rhythm of that pulse and set it against the many challenges we face. In doing so they have given us a foretaste of our future, encouraging us not to linger in the past, but to engage with God’s work in the present. They have inspired us to move forward together with hope. The articles in this issue reflect that hope by considering the human response to God in history.
Teresa White, ‘Between Heaven and Earth’, 7–16
In the light of Cardinal Michael Czerney’s recent reflections on Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Teresa White argues that religious life is founded upon a dynamic responsiveness to God that creates the conditions for the perennial relevance of the religious vocation and points forward to its future evolution.
Ann-Maree O’Beirne, ‘Graced Encounters in the Community of Creation: Responding to the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor’, 17–28
Ann-Maree O’Beirne draws on Karl Rahner’s theology of grace and the mysticism of Ignatius’ religious experience to demonstrate how relatedness between human beings and the natural environment resonates deeply with the text of the Spiritual Exercises. She argues that a response to the ecological crisis depends upon the contemplative awareness which is accomplished through prayer.
Robert E. Doud, ‘Our Vocations: Novelty and Commitment’, 29–38
Robert E. Doud’s perennial fascination with process theology leads him to view human history as constituted by moments of discernment. Using A. N. Whitehead’s thoughts on commitment and identity he rejects the notion of vocation as a predetermined pathway. Instead, he shows how human uniqueness emerges in freedom through an interdependent relationship with God.
Ian Coleman, ‘Domenico Zipoli: The Sound of the Jesuit Baroque’, 39–50
Ian Coleman’s exploration of the ‘Jesuit Baroque’ continues with his reflection upon the eighteenth-century musician, missionary and composer Domenico Zipoli SJ. The developing style of his music occurred under the influence of his Jesuit education. In the same spirit, it was written with a generous devotion to his listeners in the missions where he was sent to serve. It was there that his music was preserved for future generations.
Robert W. McChesney, ‘The Morally Injured Iñigo de Loyola: New Insights for Ignatian Spiritual and Pastoral Care’, 51–68
Looking back towards our special issue on Conversion, Robert W. McChesney reflects on the surprisingly violent episode that initiated St Ignatius’ spiritual quest. The experience of physical injury helps to explain the moral injury that God made use of in order to bring about his conversion. The practice of Ignatian accompaniment and the structure of the Spiritual Exercises offer means to facilitate the recovery of all those who experience such moral wounds.
Thomas Flowers, ‘Pierre Favre on the Mercy of God’, 69–73
A letter written by St Pierre Favre to a fellow Jesuit on the subject of listening to confessions prompts Thomas Flowers to articulate how God might have made use of his scruples. He discovers a surprisingly contemporary person-centred approach to reconciliation that will help anyone who accompanies those seeking forgiveness today.
Elizabeth Liebert, ‘Praying Our Way Forward: Prayer in Ignatian Communal Discernment Today’, 75–94
The first Jesuits came together to discuss their future in the period before the foundation of the Society of Jesus. Their deliberations serve as example of how to make successful discernments together based on prayerful consideration. Elizabeth Liebert draws out this historical experience and develops it into a model for communal discernment.
Nicolas Stebbing, ‘Martyrs at Musami’, 95–98
In February 1977 a group of three Jesuits a four Dominican sisters were murdered in modern day Zimbabwe. Nicholas Stebbing reflects upon the shock that went through him when he learned of their deaths. Forty-five years later his thoughts turn to gratitude for the people’s resilience and yearning for life.
Mark Yavarone, ‘Faithful to Bring It to Completion: Encouragement for Daily Life as a Retreat Nears Its End’, 99–115
Mark Yavarone broaches the topic of how to carry the spiritual transformation of a retreat back into everyday life. He detects the deceptions that might lead people to question the value of their experience and gives practical advice about how a spiritual director might facilitate a successful transition.