Ignatius of Loyola, Movements Produced in the Soul

Ignatius of Loyola, Movements Produced in the Soul

            Ignatius first points out that the enemy wants me to go from sin to sin, illicit pleasure to illicit pleasure, while the “good spirit” brings courage, strength, tears, inspiration, and peace (193-194). Here, Ignatius brings forth the concepts of consolation and desolation. Consolation is when I am moved with the love of Christ, forsaking everything in this world – worshipping the Creator and not the creation (194). Consolation increases the greatest aspects of Love (I Corinthians 13:13): faith, hope, and charity (194). Desolation is everything that is contrary to consolation, leading to “loss of faith, loss of hope, and loss of love” (194).

            Ignatius implores me to stand firm in the faith, staving off desolation with prayer, meditation, frequent examinations, and penance (194). But there are three reasons why I would go into desolation: laziness in spiritual exercises, God’s testing, and God wanting to teach me something (195). The first one I am in control of. The second and third come from God, and I should be patient and wait it out to see what God has in store for me (194-195). Through periods of desolation, I am to cling to the “sufficient grace” and take my strength from Jesus through the Holy Spirit (195). The enemy wants me to stay in desolation and keep it a secret. God wants me to bring it into his healing light (196).

            From this section, I understand that periods of consolation and desolation are normal to the Christian life. What I need to do is to enjoy, revel, and bask in the times of consolation. During times of desolation, I need to stay on the course and keep at my spiritual disciplines (or restart them if I have been lazy). God will show up, and I will have a deeper relationship with him because of it.

All references with page numbers are from Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith, Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups, Revised and expanded (San Francisco: HarperOne, 2005).