By KAITLIN KLEIN
WONDERFUL ADVENTURE
St. Ignatius wrote two sets of rules in his Spiritual Exercises; the first set has 14 rules, and I will conclude this series with sharing about the final rule, No. 14, which continues to describe the enemy.
The 14th rule: "Likewise, he conducts himself as a leader, intent upon conquering and robbing what he desires. For, just as a captain and leader of an army in the field, pitching his camp and exploring the fortifications and defenses of a stronghold, attacks it at the weakest point, in the same way, the enemy of human nature, roving about, looks in turn at all our theological, cardinal, and moral virtue; and where he finds us weakest and most in need for our eternal salvation, there he attacks us and attempts to take us."
Just as in the two rules I addressed in my last column, this rule describes an unnatural situation. The leader mentioned here is not a good one, since he "rob[s] what he desires." The enemy can strike where he knows best, and it may be daunting to see how we could ever resist such an attack! Father Timothy Gallagher, in “The Discernment of Spirits,” describes how Ignatius implicitly shares that "each person, like the enemy, must become aware of this weakest point and strengthen it before the attack begins." Specifically, we may acknowledge where we stand in our theological, cardinal, and moral virtues and where we are most in need. Sometimes, a nonspiritual desolation can be related, like tiredness.
Practically, we can examine these in prayer. Spending some time each day strengthening our weakest points can be helpful; there are many ways to do this, and spiritual directors can be great guides.
Again, the importance of taking the time and making the specific effort to know ourselves and examine our spiritual lives is of utmost importance. Father Gallagher says, "Know thyself...This classic spiritual dictum is critically important in regard to Ignatius's fourteenth rule." He gives some examples of questions to ask and encourages us to talk to a director or a spiritual person we know to help us point out patterns in our lives.
I highly recommend buying a copy of Father Gallagher's book. He has written several, but “The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living” will provide a deep foundation and be of great value in your spiritual life. I will probably need to slowly read it over and over to continue to implement the great value of Ignatius' rules into my life. God bless all who continue their endeavor to draw close to the Lord!