Daily reflection from the CPLO and the Jesuit Institute for 3 September 2021

Published: Fri, 09/03/21

Friday, 3 September 2021

“Every good and perfect gift is from above”

~ James 1:17 ~

James 1:17-27

In the final point for prayer of his Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius Loyola invites the person making the retreat to spend time contemplating how every gift we have been given throughout our lives comes from God. Ignatius was almost certainly inspired to include this in his Exercises because of what he had encountered in scriptures like the one we have been reading this week from the Letter of James.

This thought must have had such a profound impact on Ignatius that it is the last word he chose to leave retreatants with before they returned to the daily life of commitments and chores.

Unfortunately, many people simply do not have the luxury of time and/or resources to dedicate themselves to days of uninterrupted prayer and contemplation in the quiet of a retreat house. (If you do desire this and have the time, please lookout for the next retreat or prayer event offered by the Jesuit Institute. There are two 8-day retreats coming up in October - see below).

So, as we draw to the end of our week, it is fitting that this also be the last word I leave you to contemplate.

Take some time to consider Ignatius’ last point.

Bring to mind the gifts God has given you this week.

How do you want to express your love for the gifts God has so freely and generously given you?

It may also be helpful to recap some of the points I have invited you to reflect upon over the week and to see what has shifted in you and brought you a greater sense of faith, hope and love—sure fruits that might point you to the gifts God has already given you.

God,

giver of every good gift,

show me the ways

in which you

have been present to me

this week—especially those

that I may have been

too quick to dismiss.

Thank you for always

loving me.

Amen.

Reflection prepared by Ricardo da Silva SJ

8-day retreat

Online @ home

1-9 October 2021

Cost: R2200

The Jesuit Institute will be offering an online 8-day retreat that you participate in from your home. Take the time out of, and away from, your usual routine, just as you would on a residential retreat.

For this “Retreat @home for eight days,” you will need to

Clear your calendar as you normally would for a retreat
Make your home space as free from distractions as possible
Meet with a spiritual director every day online
Pray for several substantial sessions a day as you would on a residential retreat
Connect online for a short evening prayer liturgy with others making the retreat

We will help you with suggestions on how to do this. God works in all things. Make use of this opportunity to reconnect with God while getting the rest your body, mind and soul needs.

For more information or to book, please contact Margaret Backwell

retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za

8-Day Retreat

Residential Retreat @
St Ignatius House, Auckland Park

DATE: 1-9 October 2021 (Starting 5pm on 1 October, and ending 4pm on 9 October

Book now - limited places available retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za
Cost R7500 (Partial Bursaries are available)

The Jesuit Institute is offering an 8-day silent residential retreat in October. The venue is our recently refurbished "Retreat in the City" in Auckland Park. There are six private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Beautiful gardens and peaceful chapel overlooking Johannesburg is a perfect place to find rest and restore your soul.

There are as many reasons to take this retreat as there are people who attend it. Some seek to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ; to spend quality time in prayer and reflection; to learn more about one’s self in relationship to God and to others; preparing to make a significant life decision in response to the movement of the Spirit. Why would you like to come?