Last summer’s film Oppenheimer tells the story of the designer of the first nuclear weapon. It reminded us of the fragility of human life before the means we still have at our disposal to destroy ourselves. Yet even in the darkest moments of human history, hope has sprung anew, strength has been received and we have been able to walk forward in confidence. The human spirit was made indefatigable, nourished by the hidden well-spring of God’s life. Each of the articles in this issue touches upon the theme of resilience, a growing strength in the face of adversity. With God at our side we stand forever at the threshold of hope.
Berry Bishop, ‘Spiritual Direction and Trauma Recovery’, 7–21
The time-honoured art of spiritual direction can help or hinder people as they heal from traumatic experiences. This critical appraisal encourages practitioners work with sensitivity to discover the positive approaches that foster resilience.
Woo-Jung Kim, ‘Vulnerability and Virtue in the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises’, 23–34
The dynamic of the First Week of the Spiritual Exercises leads from vulnerability to growing virtue as we become aware of the forgiveness of God. The freedom to love is rooted in our recognition that God shares our vulnerable nature through the cross.
Robert Green, ‘Was Jesus Abandoned?’, 35–48
This theological analysis rejects the notion that God abandoned Jesus on the cross. It releases us from a bundle of unsettling theologies and demonstrates how, in not abandoning Jesus, God reveals that he will never abandon anyone with important repercussions for our understanding of pastoral practice.
Robert W. McChesney, ‘Noticing Hibakusha: A Trauma-Informed Reading of the Incarnation Contemplation’, 49–61
The survivors of the first nuclear bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki are reminders of the necessity of recognising human fragility both within and without. It is only by acknowledging that God shares that fragility that we can hear the good news proclaimed to all those who suffer.
Gerard Garrigan, ‘Spirituality and the Arts: The Healing Nature of Poetry and Jazz’, 63–66
The endless play of art in life, exemplified by jazz, is a reflection of the indefatigable human spirit.
Mary Cohen, ‘New Narratives: Dementia, Arrupe and Living the Suscipe Prayer’, 67–80
Biblical conversations offer an insight into the importance of real listening which removes barriers to communication. It creates the conditions for a safe, trusting relationships with God that offer a glimpse of salvation.
William M. Watson, ‘The Perennial Vitality of the Ignatian Examen’, 81–92
The connection between the Examen and the autobiography of St Ignatius creates a deeper understanding of the inner workings of this prayer. Watson shows how God made use of the trauma that Ignatius received to fashion him anew, and shows how we can receive the same healing in our own lives.
Annemarie Paulin-Campbell, ‘Has the Pandemic Changed the World of Spiritual Accompaniment Forever?’, 93–105
A hallmark of Ignatian spirituality is its capacity to adapt to circumstances of person, place and time. The new context of the pandemic was the cause for a reevaluation of the use of technology in spiritual ministry. Perhaps surprisingly this has opened up new frontiers in practice and formation for spiritual directors.
Gavin T. Murphy, ‘Bursting out in Praise: Faith and Mental Health’, 107–112
A former Jesuit novice describes his journey through mental ill health to arrive at the discovery of the affirmative work of the Holy Spirit at work within each of us.