Posted March 24, 2010 Book: Lent and Easter: Wisdom from St. Ignatius of Loyola Author: James L. Connor, SJ Liguori Press, Liguori, Missouri. 2010. Pp. 113 An Excerpt from the Jacket: Fr. Connor, SJ, offers a selection of readings from St. Ignatius, illuminated by Scripture and his own insight into Ignatian spirituality for the modern Christian Each day provides you with words from the saint, a Scripture passage, a short reflection, and an action that will aid you in discerning God’s will in your life. An Excerpt from the Book: Final Meal with Lazarus, Martha and Mary Rules for the Discernment of Spirits Rules for understanding to some extent the different movements produced in the soul and for recognizing those that are good to admit them, and those that are bad, to reject them . . . In the case of those who go from one mortal sin to another, the enemy is ordinarily accustomed to propose apparent pleasures . . .the more readily to keep them in their vices and increase the number of their sins. With such persons the good spirit uses a method which is the reverse of the above. Making use of the light of reason, he will rouse the sting of conscience and fill them with remorse. Motivations/Movements: Mary and Judas Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served . . .Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet . . .But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” . . .Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.” When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well. . . Prayer Lord, as Mary anointed your feet at this supper and as you washed your apostles’ feet at the Last Supper, help me to regard all other people with the kind of reverence and care you asked of us when you said, “Do this in memory of me.” Amen. Lenten Action When Judas complained about Mary, Jesus spoke right up. “Leave her alone,” he said to Judas. Can you speak your mind firmly, but kindly? Or does it come out angrily? Listen to yourself today. (Note: Doing this will be an exercise of “discernment of spirits!”) Table of Contents: Introduction 1. Readings of Lent 2. Readings of Easter Acknowledgements