蜜桃交友

By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Continuing his cycle of reflections on the theme of discernment, Pope Francis said that discernment, which is not primarily a logical procedure, is 鈥渂ased on actions, and actions have an affective connotation which must be acknowledged, because God speaks to the heart.鈥�

He focused his catechesis during the Wednesday General Audience on the first affective mode and an object of discernment: desolation.

Desolation

Recalling the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Pope Francis said desolation can be defined as 鈥渄arkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to things low and earthly, the unquiet of different agitations and temptations, moving to want of confidence, without hope, without love, when one finds oneself all lazy, tepid, sad and as if separated from his Creator and Lord.鈥�

He noted that all of us have experienced desolation in some way but the problem we face is how to interpret it, because desolation has something important to tell us and we risk losing it if we are in a hurry to free ourselves of the feeling of emptiness.

He added that inasmuch as we would all like a life that is always joyful, cheerful and fulfilled, this is not always possible and would also not be good for us as 鈥渢he change from a life oriented towards vice can start from a situation of sadness, of remorse for what one has done.鈥�

Remorse

Explaining further, Pope Francis said that the word 鈥渞emorse鈥�, from the etymological viewpoint, means 鈥渢he conscience that bites (in Italian, mordere) that does not permit peace.鈥�

In fact, Alessandro Manzoni in his book 鈥淭he Betrothed鈥� described remorse as an opportunity to change one鈥檚 life in the famous dialogue between Cardinal Federico Borromeo and the Unnamed, who, after a terrible night, presents himself destroyed by the cardinal, who addresses him with surprising words.

Sadness

Pope Francis also stressed on the importance of learning to 鈥渞ead鈥� sadness, which is mostly considered negatively, but instead, 鈥渃an be an indispensable alarm bell for life, inviting us to explore richer and more fertile landscapes that transience and escapism do not permit.鈥�

St. Thomas, in the Summa Theologica, defines sadness as 鈥渁 pain of the soul鈥� - like the nerves for the body, it redirects our attention to a possible danger, or a disregarded benefit. Hence, sadness is 鈥渋ndispensable for our health; it protects us from harming ourselves and others鈥� and 鈥渨ould be far more serious and dangerous if we did not feel this,鈥� the Pope said.

Moreover, for those who have the desire to do good, sadness is 鈥渁n obstacle with which the tempter tries to discourage us鈥� and in that case, one must act in a manner exactly contrary to what is suggested, determined to continue what one had set out to do.

The Pope further recalled the Gospels鈥� reminder that the road to goodness is narrow and uphill, requiring combat and self-conquest. He urged those who wish to serve God not to be led astray by desolation, especially as some people, unfortunately, abandon a life of prayer or choice they have made, driven by desolation, 鈥渨ithout first pausing to consider this state of mind, and especially without the help of a guide.鈥�

Trials are an important moment

Pope Francis then pointed to the example of Jesus who repelled temptations with an attitude of firm resolution. Trials assailed him from all sides, but Jesus was determined to do the will of the Father and they failed to hinder his path.

In spiritual life, said the Pope, 鈥渢rial is an important moment鈥� because 鈥渨hen you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials鈥� (Sir 2:1). Similarly, a professor only accepts that a student has passed the test after he has examined the student to see if the student knows the essentials of the subject.

Pope Francis concluded by re-echoing St. Paul鈥檚 words that no one is tempted beyond his or her ability, because the Lord never abandons us, and with him close by, we can overcome every temptation.