Fr. Hans' Pair o' Dimes

Hi, everybody! Just a few weeks ago I wrote my first ever bulletin column. It must have been good, because they asked me to take over Fr. Dave’s space while he’s away! I’ll consider giving it back when he returns. . .


In the Second Reading this weekend, St. Paul makes some bold statements: “death is gain” and “I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.” How many among us can claim that we long to be with Christ so much that we’re longing to die? St. Paul’s reason to remain on earth is to continue his mission. But his longing is to be with Christ.
 
Recently I’ve been reading a book which talks about St. Ignatius’s personal spiritual discernment,  and how towards the end of his life he felt the same longing to be with Jesus that St. Paul expresses. Over the course of his life he had three near-death experiences, and his reaction to each was very different. In the first, he was terrified; during the second, he was sorrowful; during the third, he experienced joy and longing.
 
Ignatius’s three reactions to almost dying show a progression in his relationship with Jesus, and that progression mirrors the classical three stages of the Spiritual Life: Purgation, Illumination, and Union.
 

Focus on our own sinfulness leads to doubt and fear about our salvation: "How can God save me?"	Purgation
Regret over not responding to God's love sooner, leading to sorrow about our slow response.	Illumination
Passionate love of God leading to Joy at the thought of dying and being with God.	Union

The farther a person progresses in their Spiritual Life, the more the focus becomes God and His love for us, and the less we focus on ourselves and our faults. This isn’t to say that we’re less aware of our faults. Rather, it is a perfect confidence in the loving mercy of Jesus.


Blessings to Logan Nelson, Makena Punzalan, and Katie White, who were baptized this weekend!