The Principle and Foundation is a cornerstone of Ignatian spirituality,
Written by St.
Ignatius of Loyola as part of his spiritual exercises.
It serves as a guiding light,
Illuminating our fundamental purpose in relation to God and creation.
Ignatius saw the Principle and Foundation as a profound statement of our human existence.
He believed that understanding our ultimate purpose,
To praise,
Reverence,
And serve God,
Provides the framework for all of life's decisions and experiences.
This foundational concept invites us to recognize God's love as the source of our being and to orient our lives towards deepening our relationship with the divine.
I invite you now to rest in this loving source,
In the presence of God,
As we listen to a contemporary wording of the Principle and Foundation.
We are brought into existence by a God of boundless love,
With the ultimate purpose of sharing in eternal communion with this divine source.
Our lives are an opportunity to respond to this love,
Allowing it to flow through us and transform us.
Everything we encounter in this world,
Our experiences,
Relationships,
Talents,
And challenges,
Are potential pathways to deeper connection with God.
These aspects of our lives can serve as bridges,
Leading us to a more profound understanding of divine love and enabling us to express our love in return.
However,
We must be discerning.
When we cling too tightly to any created thing or experience,
Making it the center of our existence,
We can inadvertently create barriers between ourselves and God,
Hindering our spiritual growth.
Therefore,
We are called to cultivate a balanced approach to life.
Whether we face joy or sorrow,
Success or failure,
Abundance or scarcity,
We're invited to see each circumstance as an opportunity for spiritual deepening.
Our level of comfort,
Social status,
Or lifespan should not be our primary concern.
Instead,
Our fundamental desire and choice should be this,
To align ourselves with whatever draws us into a more profound,
Life-giving relationship with God.
This alignment becomes our compass,
Guiding us towards our true purpose and ultimate fulfillment.
We are brought into existence by a God of boundless love.
Consider the vastness of the universe and the intricacy of your own being.
In this context,
What does it mean to you that you were personally created by a loving God?
How might this shape your understanding of your life's purpose?
Let us now consider life's potential pathways to deeper connection with God.
Think of a recent experience that brought you joy.
How might this experience be inviting you into a deeper relationship with God?
Now consider a recent challenge.
What might this difficulty be teaching you about God's presence in your life?
We often hear the phrase,
God is love.
Reflect on the idea that our lives are an opportunity to respond to this love,
Allowing it to flow through us and transform us.
What areas of your life feel most transformed by God's love,
And where do you feel resistance to this transformative love?
We are cautioned against clinging too tightly to any creative thing or experience.
Examine your heart.
What do you hold most dear?
How might you honor and appreciate this while still maintaining God as the center of your life?
What would it look like to loosen your grip on this aspect of your life?
Consider the invitation to cultivate a balanced approach to life.
Reflect on a recent decision you made,
Large or small.
How might this decision have been different if your primary goal was to draw into a more profound life-giving relationship with God?
What would it mean for you to use this as your compass in daily life?
Now,
Speak with God about anything that is rising up in your heart.
Boundless and loving Creator,
We stand in awe of your infinite love that brought us into being.
Open our eyes to see the pathways to you in all our experiences.
Grant us the wisdom to hold life's gifts with open hands and the courage to align our choices with your divine invitation.
May each moment draw us into deeper communion with you,
Transforming us and flowing through us to touch the world.
In gratitude and love,
We offer ourselves to you.
In the silence of the dawn,
I contemplate what I was born for.
To love,
To serve,
To find my way back to the one who formed me from clay.
In your presence I am whole.
Your love the anchor of my soul.
All creation sings your praise.
Guide me Lord through all my days.
Riches on a length of days.
Barbered shadows in your gaze.
In sickness,
Health or poverty,
Your love remains my treasury.
In your presence I am whole.
Your love the anchor of my soul.
All creation sings your praise.
Guide me Lord through all my days.
