I would love to say that by this point in my Jesuit formation, I have become a master discerner. The truth of that matter is that I am still learning how to live with my own consciousness. It is sometimes so easy to tell when someone else is being whipped around by the dark spirit. However, when it comes to myself, there are times when I just cannot see what is happening until I am up to my neck in negativity. The following is a paraphrase …

Last week as usual I began my daily examen with gratitude when, somewhere in the flurry of traditions that is the 4th of July, I thought I should take time to be grateful for our independence. (Be wary of the “shoulds” I can hear my spiritual director saying.) Truly there is much to be grateful for in the freedoms guaranteed in the US Constitution; so many people on this Earth suffer horrendously for lack of such freedoms. But, true to form, my Ignatian prayer turned my world upside down, …

I tried counting how many times a day I say “I want…”—it was sad. I really want a lot. Not necessarily “possessions” as St. Ignatius originally talked about in the Spiritual Exercises, but more modern attachments that I falsely believe will bring me peace. I want my kids to be successful. I want a financially stress free life. I want more time to myself or to be with those I love. For some reason (or could that be because of some spirit??) I think if those things …

I met Tony one night when he was working behind the front-desk of a dorm.  We talked about U2.  At the time, he was the only person I had met who actually cared to know more useless information about that band than I did.  Over time we became good friends, and I got to learn a little something about where he came from.  Tony was born and spent his early years in Lebanon.  The youngest son of a Christian family, Tony’s original name was “Wael” – a name chosen because …