Newer Essays

The two words of the title seem to fit well together, especially with the celebration of Pentecost as the conclusion of the Easter Season, where the symbol for the presence and action of the Spirit of God is fire. If we are open to the possibility of being personally affected by the Holy Spirit as an ongoing, growing, guiding, and inspiring force, “spiritual fire” will serve us well. Interior realities cannot be adequately expressed in words, and certainly not by definitions, but we need words to help us consciously focus our hearts and minds on the central purpose of our lives.

If we only acknowledge that we are spiritual beings, that does not mean that we act according to that simple truth. However, if we reflect on ourselves as being moved by, and touching others with, spiritual fire of which only spiritual beings are capable, the results are personal gain and blessings for everyone else. This kind of fire does no harm, but it warms hearts and enlightens minds. We know that this is true, not simply because we have been told, but from personal experience.

No one has been hurt by a kind word or helpful action on our part, even if for them it was surprising and unexpected. Whatever we do with good intentions, whether it is understood or not, still warms other’s hearts, coming as it does from the perhaps unperceived and gentle warmth originating in our own heart. Such ordinary movements of spiritual fire are usually only recognized as such when we reflect on those actions and inspirations of our day and notice how they elicit gratitude and thankfulness for being created and graced with such a capacity and desire for goodness.

Spiritual fire is not a form of spontaneous combustion, but an activity that requires us to do our part in providing fuel for it, not wood or other physical consumables, but a conscious openness to God, especially through prayer. No matter what ways we enter personal contact with God, the Holy Spirit liberally pours into us those movements of infinite love that encourage and enable us to act as those who bear love to others. We do not see how this happens, for it is not at all the same as providing a substance that could somehow be burned up in the process of loving. Rather, this kind of fire expands in us as we expend it, and, ultimately sourced in God, this fire always has good effects, no matter how others respond.

Come Holy Spirit and set our hearts on fire with your divine love.

Our disposition toward people can only be called “ordinary” in the sense of being habitual, but the way we direct our attention towards everyone, especially in words and gestures, is far from ordinary in the effects it has not only on others, but on us as well. We do not become caring people by making a single decision to do so, but by daily choices we make in ordinary and extraordinary situations that occur day by day. When we were young, we might have followed examples of family members, teachers, friends, and even public figures whose images, whether real or projected, appealed to us. Later in life, many of us reflected on how we relate with others and made many successive choices that have influenced the way we act now.

We can gain a deeper understanding of our interactions with people, those close to us as well as those we barely know, by reflecting on our motivation for not becoming a habitually ornery person. Not surprisingly, the more we believe that we are loved, the more we want to be caring and careful with others at all levels of our communication with them. However, not all of us have always or even consistently accepted that we are loved, or at least not to the extent that we want to be loving toward others. Even the word “love” has been problematic for some, because it has been so badly misapplied to thoughts and actions that are anything but loving.

Some of us were blessed with loving families from the start; others found love, or were confirmed in love, later in life. However, we have always been immersed in the absolute love of God, the origin and giver of our unique lives, although we might only have begun to recognize this slowly, through human interactions in which God’s presence is revealed, as well as in personal prayer and occasional religious experiences. Beauty, such as we find in nature, whether a grand scene, such as the immensity of the heavens or the vastness of the sea, or inspirations that come in noticing the intricacy of a tiny insect or a lovely flower, are also expressions of God’s love for us.

Whether we think about it or not, when we are treated kindly or act this way ourselves, we are touched by goodness, another revelation of the loving presence of God among us.

Even ordinary love is never ornery.

Friday, June 12, 2026 was a day when many Catholics celebrated a Feast that identifies the Heart of Jesus as a powerful force of love that invites, supports, and encourages those who accept it. The Saturday following that celebration looks at Mary, the mother of Jesus, and ponders gratefully how the love of the woman who bore Jesus into and for the world enables us to relate with her son but in no way seeks to coerce, force, or control our responses. We see such loving behavior in women whose love is recognized by those who witness it as empowering others but not seeking any good other than that of those whom they love.

We all need to be loved like this, for we know, again intuitively rather than by deeply thinking about it, that any expression of love that is true and sincere is never in any way manipulative, and frees us to believe in ourselves and to trust in others, including God. The Heart of Jesus and the Heart of Mary are unified in seeking our acceptance of this love which will enable us to become more responsive to God and more freely caring for all whom God loves. Jesus loves us as we are, and so does his mother, who treasures all those for whose sake God chose to become one of us.

The experience of those who let themselves be loved in this way, who consciously accept the open-hearted gift, is that of being empowered to live more genuinely as the good people we aspire to be. It is a much more effective way of becoming our better selves by acknowledging this love offered to us than to strive through our own efforts to grow in care and concern for people, the environment, and every other human endeavor that we might hold as desirable.

Love is not a thing, but a choice that essentially arises in the hearts of people. We know how significant it is for us when another person loves us, for we cannot make it happen but are always changed for the better because of it. Love is a gift that is profoundly transformative because its ultimate source is in the heart of God who guides all who respond to love by choosing to love, thereby fulfilling their purpose in life and finally entering union with God and all who love God.

There are no limits to the enabling power of love.

There are two ways to understand the title on this page. The first might be about our training in basic arithmetic. The other is a common way of saying that people are more important than material goods, and certainly more important than anything that they do or could do. As people, we are more valuable than any form of wealth or power. From the perspective of being loved into being by the direct intention of God, we are, each one, made capable of loving God and all God’s people by our free choice.

This kind of message, in much better language, is what Pope Leo keeps saying in his speeches and talks, and in his recent written work, called “Magnificent Humanity.” He refers often to our inherent dignity as humans, and to “the common good” of all people as the main concern of human society, from the smallest unit of family to individual nations and to all of us who share this one home, earth. For anyone interested in a truthful exposition of our value as people, denied and contradicted by many and varied organizations, Pope Leo’s Encyclical is very much worth reading.

For now, we might realize that our innate belief that “people count” is very important, for we can look around and see what happens wherever some people ignore this truth and treat others of less value than themselves, or only useful for their own purposes, or even of having no worth at all. The pain so many of us experience daily in seeing the way some of our fellow humans are treated gives witness to the source of such wrongness, the denial of the intrinsic goodness of all people.

We do not need anyone’s permission to believe and to share, by word and by deed, that everyone “counts.” no one is or can be without worth, even if they behave as terribly as we know that some do. This does not mean that we ignore hurtful behavior, whether blatantly deliberate or arising from unrecognized moral injuries they have received. Rather, in acknowledging their offences and at the same time their innate capacity for goodness, we pray for them and help them if we can, to be healed of those destructive tendencies that destroy their humanity as they cause injury to others.

One of our responsibilities as humans who are of incalculable worth is to let this truth affect how we speak to and about others, and about how and when we act in accord with our belief. Since in some situations and regarding some specific people this might be almost impossible for us to sincerely desire, we can do no better than to spend some quiet time in the presence of God, making ourselves available for receiving the grace of living the truth more fully that people count.

Whether driving or walking, if we see a sign that says “Stop” or hear someone warning us to stop, we will almost always do so. Sometimes the authority is that of the government, at other times we attribute authority to whoever gives us the warning. We rely on previous experience whether to trust that whoever warns us is concerned about our welfare or is attempting to manipulate us in some way. We can usually tell the difference between the urgency in the voice of someone being protective and the more self-interested tone of voice of someone seeking our attention for their own purposes.

It is easy to imagine our response to a police officer in uniform telling us to stop, or even a stranger who warns us and is standing in front of something that we can almost immediately recognize as dangerous. What might be our response if God were to tell us to stop what we are doing? If we thought that it really was God, would we stop first and then ask questions if we thought it important to know? Or would we immediately question whether this was necessary and perhaps seek an alternative? This thought exercise is not about a remote possibility but a faith perspective worth considering, for the equivalent of “stop” is a relatively common occurrence in people’s inner experiences. We do not usually hear such warnings with our ears, but we do receive impulses to not proceed as we were thinking of doing which we can notice and respect or we can go right ahead as if nothing has crossed our minds and hearts.

When God gently but clearly communicates the equivalent of “Stop,” our level of trust will be manifested in how or even whether we respond. Some of us might have had sufficient previous experience to know that any such warning is always to our benefit, even if we cannot see how or why this is so. At other times, we might have been so attached to what we intended to say or do that our feelings of disappointment might have led us to thoughts that being warned to stop was unfair or unwarranted. We might have struggled with our thoughts and feelings until we came to a peaceful resolution. Or, exercising our freedom to choose, we might have gone ahead as per our plan. If we later reflected, we would have found that we were not in any way punished, but we still might have noticed that we did not feel at peace at having ignored the impulse we had received.

Reviewing some of our past experiences can be very affirming, both of our awareness of receiving such caring graces from God, and of the positive difference it has made for us when we stopped whatever we had in mind to do.

A popular song once carried this message, which might speak to some of our experiences with God: “Stop, in the name of love!”

There are jokes about the incredibly short time between when a traffic signal turns green and some impatient driver toots the horn because the car in front did not jump forward. All the impulses from God to go forward, initiate an action, make a plan, or even to imagine, trust, or hope about the future do not come to us as annoying pushes, but as invitations.

When we reflect on some of our experiences, we might recognize how some inspirations were so strong and clear that it was more than obvious that they would be very good for us to enact. At other times, we needed to note carefully whether we felt at peace before and after we responded positively to what we believed was true inspiration. At still other times, we had to rely on clear thinking and perhaps some consultation with others before we had a distinct sense that the impulse we received was indeed an indication of the right thing for us to do.

We might wonder about the reliability of such a process, questioning whether it could be so simple, since many matters about which we need to make decisions appear to be quite complicated. When, instead of keeping the decision-making process completely to ourselves, we turn for help to the source of all goodness and of all true inspirations, we learn for ourselves that there is a reliable simplicity in doing so. We might not receive an immediate confirmation of “go,” but we become centered enough in the presence of Love to receive inspirations for what they are: personal gifts from God, and whether at that moment or later, we will find sufficient clarity to act as seems right to us.

Traffic signals of stop and go are not simply opposites, as if they were final in their intent. Their purpose is to allow everyone to go ahead in their chosen direction, but not all at that same time. When we receive inspirations, some encourage us to initiate an action or to proceed in a specific direction of thought or imagination. Others affirm or confirm us in continuing what we had begun, but for which we had received a temporary “stop,” like that of a traffic signal. 

God is not complicated, though God is within every least bit of creation, from simplest to most complex. Knowing and loving us as fully as God does, we are given inspirations as a means of simplifying our lives, freeing us from our mistaken idea that we must know enough to have certainty about the outcome before deciding to act. Instead, we can trust God’s gifts of inspiration and go forward in confidence.

On this 4^th of July, we do not know whether the United States will live up to the promises of the Declaration of Independence about “liberty and justice for all,” but we each can make our contributions according to the inspirations we receive. 

If the title on this page concluded with an exclamation point, we might see it as an expression of strong feelings, likely of a sudden disappointment or worse. If a comma was placed at the end, we might assume that a prayer of some kind would follow. However, as it is, without any punctuation mark, it can remain properly as an invitation to consider God as a loving presence. We are free to let our minds and hearts play or pray with the title, allowing us to have a satisfying personal experience.

The invitation is to avoid any over-thinking and to instead focus on how we feel, here and now, in the presence of God. Of course, we come to this moment with previous thoughts and beliefs that we might have pondered either about God or in conscious prayer, but this specific invitation is for now. And the essence of presence, especially in reference to God, is always “now.” Rules do not apply, nor do expectations. We simply give ourselves permission to be present to Presence.

There is no “wrong” way to do this, since whatever takes place as we consent to doing it, is the gift of the moment. We do not have to do anything other than to be in the here and now with God, who is always and everywhere here and now. Any movement that takes place within us is always according to our present capacity to receive thoughts and/or feelings that are good. For God is Good, and goodness always overflows to others. This goodness overflows into us by our being continually created and through our capacity to love and to be loved as well as through whatever we experience at this time by consciously attending to God’s presence.

One of the beauties of responding to the invitation of being present to God is that we are in no way obliged to do so, and that each one of us is free to go about it whenever and however seems good to us. Another hidden benefit is that when we do accept, we are engaging in a graceful mystery which we can never fully appreciate. We can enter the presence of God without credentials, or having made an appointment, or with any other requirement than that of our willingness to open ourselves to God who is here wherever we are and in whatever our life circumstances might be.

There is no implied challenge to try this manner of reflecting or praying, although we might choose to take it that way. Rather, we are always in the presence of God’s infinite personal love for us, and sometimes we give our conscious attention to this simple truth, and are moved not just to know it, but to experience the consolation of being present to Presence.

Some of us value wisdom, others not so much. For some, to be thought of as wise would be considered high praise, while others would not like it, for they are more accustomed to a prideful understanding of the word that means someone who presumes to be smarter than everyone else. Wise, as a word, differs in meaning depending partly on the context in which it is used, but is still only a word. It is ultimately about a reality that transcends words.

We do not simply choose to be wise, as if we could decide to think, act, or speak in a certain way. We can desire to become or to grow in wisdom, but as we likely know when we reflect on it, none of the people we think of as being wise would think of calling themselves wise. We recognize that one quality of being truly wise is that of humility.

Similarly, we likely admire the quality of being wise enough to know when to listen and when to speak. We have no problem recognizing how some people are quick to offer opinions that are not responses to what was said to them because they had not really listened. Further, we know the difference between hearing just the words and noting also the tones of voice, pauses, and other indications that reveal the full meaning of what others really say. We have learned how wise it is to listen carefully and to also be careful about how we respond to others.

Without making any claims to being wise, we can still try each day to pause ever so slightly before speaking or acting to allow for whatever gifts of insight, respect for others, and care for our own sense of honesty we might have, to effectively guide us in our way of proceeding. We do not need a license or anyone else’s permission or approval to develop habits that we consider wise. Our interest is not in achieving some kind of reputation for being wise, but only in doing what seems right here and now. No matter what anyone might call such behavior, this is how we want to live in a world where loud, pushy, and often inconsiderate words and actions are prevalent in the culture, but contrary to any understanding of the common good.

Becoming wise is a worthy goal, especially when sought for benefits far greater than any judgments others may make about us or any opinion of our self-worth. There is a strong connection between being graced with this gift from God and its accompaniment of a deeper sense of peace and contentment with our relationship with God and our place in all of creation. A favored prayer by many Christians has us asking the Holy Spirit to be “truly wise and to ever rejoice in God’s holy consolations.”

A wise request.

We can shine a light where we wish to see something more clearly, and we might appreciate the bright light of sunshine breaking through on a gloomy day. “Shine” is one of many English language words that is used as both a verb and a noun. We can intentionally shine our attention, care, and the exercise of all our gifts of mind, body and spirit upon others, and others might see a perceptible shine of peace and kindness on our faces, or more often a goodness that they would only implicitly recognize as shining from within us.

We have likely seen or heard the words of Jesus about letting our light shine, but we could easily dismiss the statement as applying only to people like his closest companions, or only as a gracious invitation, but not something that could provide meaning for our lives. But, we might want to look again at the possibility of being not only capable of, but intended and called to be, light in the world.

We cannot help but notice the disorder, divisions, and manifest opposition to love and kindness in the society in which we are now living. We have nothing to lose, and the world around us has much to gain when we shine our light, however small or wavering and dim as it might be, but still providing illumination instead of adding to the darkness of selfishness and disregard for the common good. There is nothing to stop us, and if we reflect a bit on our habitual stance regarding life, we know that we want to help, not hinder, our fellow travelers through this life.

None of us were or are self-created. We exist because we are loved into being. To the extent that we know who we are, we have light within us that needs to be shared, just as our creator does with us. We each have a unique understanding about our purpose in life, but however we might or might not put it into words, it is a source of light for us and will in fact grow brighter when we share it with others in our relations with them. This is not a new assignment or a career of some kind which we could make our own if we happened to want it. Rather, being light is an integral part of who we are truly meant to be and can only be frustrated by the refusal or denial of our status as members of the human family.

“. . . let your light shine before others . . .” (Mt. 5:16)

The proper name, “Iñigo,” sounds almost like a parent saying to a youngster, with the car door open, “in ya go!” No matter who we are or what our position in life might be, we are known by our name as the unique individual we are and are still becoming. Iñigo’s formal name was Ignatius of Loyola, whose feast day as a Saint is celebrated on July 31. But he was, and we can say in faith still is, responsive to the name by which he signed literally thousands of personal messages that he sent to people while he was the first superior general of the Jesuits, “Iñigo.” We can ask him for gifts of discernment.

In the written communications he authored, whether giving very specific directions about a project in which one of the Jesuits was involved or a brief note of encouragement to someone he knew, all were expressions of his affection for them, not just statements that were based on what he knew of them and of their circumstances. Everything he wrote was related to the central movement that guided all aspects of his life, love for God and love for those whom God loved, which included everyone to whom he addressed his messages. Now, he has the same attitude and would be happy to assist us.

Much of Iñigo’s writing consisted in replies, some brief, and some quite lengthy and detailed, for he was consulted not just by his Jesuit companions and the many benefactors of the increasingly worldwide Jesuit-initiated network of schools, missions, and services for people on the margins of society, but by men and women of all backgrounds who recognized him as having great practical wisdom for determining the difference between inspiring thoughts and those that were detrimental to proper love of self, love of God, and love for their neighbors. We all can use such inspiration today.

In our times of much deliberately communicated confusion about truth, goodness, values, and ideals, Iñigo is still an especially relevant and exceedingly available consultant about all such matters. He is more open and available to us now than he ever could have been when he was composing thousands of written messages for his contemporaries in the 1500’s. Although we could write out our thoughts and concerns, we do not need to communicate that way with those who are now with God, nor do we need or expect to receive written responses from those who are among the Communion of Saints. However, when we remain consciously receptive in prayer with an attitude of trust, we receive thoughts that are accompanied by a sense of peace, of being what we need at this moment.

“St. Iñigo, pray for us.”

For some, the very thought of making a commitment is fearful, while others deliberately seek something worthwhile to which they can commit themselves or someone worthy of their best energies to whom they could make a commitment for life. Still others associate the word, “commit” with sin or crime, or with consigning someone to a locked facility for emotionally disturbed or violent people. All meanings of “commit” include a definite decision and action. There is nothing tentative about the act of committing or making a commitment.

We might wish to reflect on our present thoughts and feelings about one or more of our commitments, or about our hesitancy when some movement or movements within our minds and hearts invite us to commit. The subject is not something we turn to for entertainment because most of us do not take commitments lightly. However, a few moments of conscious attention to a significant part of our interior lives can be both freeing and affirming rather than occasioning self-criticism or a feeling best identified as false guilt.   

Those who have trusted their inspirations enough to make a decision with significant long-range consequences know how, rather than suffering a loss of their freedom, they have become deeply satisfied by focusing their energies on an ongoing project or on a continually deepening relationship. One of the realities about avoiding commitments is the likely consequence of having feelings of true guilt for not developing one’s gifts of mind, body, and spirit.

Reflecting on a personal experience of daily following through with one of our commitments might very well reveal some of the supportive impulses and graced movements in our minds and hearts that enabled us to maintain our chosen course through some doubts and difficulties. We come to a deeper appreciation for who we have become precisely within the context of the commitments we have made and have kept.

There is no guaranteed process or set of practices for committing ourselves in a specific direction. We cannot force ourselves or anyone else to act in love, the true power behind lasting commitments. We all have limitations and weaknesses, and perhaps some unhealed internal wounds. These can interfere with our freedom to successfully follow through with committing ourselves to a project or to a person, and this is true of all the other people who might be involved in the commitments we make.

However, love has a way of drawing us beyond fear into clear recognition and acknowledgment of the inspirations God gives us. This love only encourages directions in life that are perfectly in accord with all that is truly good for us and for everyone else.