God In All Things

The Gospel is inherently political—concerned with how human beings live together, how power is exercised, and who bears its cost—but it is not partisan, and the difference between those two things matters enormously. The Ignatian tradition, from Ignatius's own Two Standards meditation through five centuries of Jesuit witness, offers a framework for engaging political reality not through tribal allegiance but through fidelity to a gospel that consistently finds itself on the side of the poor, the marginalised, and the truth.

Hope and optimism are not the same thing: optimism is a prediction about outcomes, while hope is an orientation of the spirit that doesn't require a particular future to hold firm. Drawing on Havel, Rahner, Byung-Chul Han, and Ignatian spirituality, this is a reflection on hope as a deliberate choice to remain open to God's future, even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty.

We are made for mutual gaze and this fundamental human need points toward something deeper: a God who gazes upon us with love before we get anything right or wrong. To be truly seen by another, and to truly see them, is not merely a social act but a spiritual one, a tangible making-present of divine love in the world.

What Christianity has called sin can now be named more precisely as trauma, developmental wounds, and disconnection from our true selves—a shift from moral failure to existential brokenness. Greg Boyle's work at Homeboy Industries, grounded in the conviction that there are no bad people but only wounded ones, suggests that redemption means being reminded of our inherent goodness rather than being saved from inherent badness.

The universe operates on a rhythm of order and creative disruption, from the primordial soup to scattered toys on a living room floor. God doesn't sterilize our chaos—whether the playful mess of children at creative play or the painful mess of suffering and brokenness—but enters into it, revealing even disorder as holy ground where grace emerges.

We live in an age of instant information where every question can be answered with a quick search, but this efficiency kills the wonder that questions are meant to inspire. The spiritual life requires us to be comfortable with mystery and unknowing, trusting that faith lives not in certainty but in the gap between "I don't know" and "yet."

Hastiness reveals the spirit that treats even sacred practices as achievements to be completed rather than journeys to be trusted. The labyrinth teaches us that God's path is inefficient by the world's standards, winding away from the center just when we think we're getting close, requiring patient trust rather than strategic speed.

On a recent pilgrimage to Spain visiting Ignatian sites, I wrestled with how ornate decoration and costly adornments often obscure St. Ignatius's radical journey from opulence to simplicity. The sacred exists not in elaborate structures but in the simple, authentic presence that connects us to the God who dwells in living stones rather than buildings.

Charlie Kirk's assassination and the contrasting responses at his memorial service—his widow's radical forgiveness versus calls for political warfare—reveal the collision between authentic Gospel witness and civil religion in American Christianity. Our culture's addiction to immediate mobilisation after tragedy robs us of the contemplative space necessary for genuine transformation, replacing the narrow path of forgiveness with the broad highway of tribal retaliation.

The recent proposal to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War represents more than a simple change in terminology—it reveals a fundamental shift from defensive protection to aggressive warfare as a primary orientation. This linguistic change challenges Christians to examine whether our ultimate trust lies in military might or in the God who calls us to be peacemakers and transforms symbols of violence into instruments of redemption.

Christian hope is a steady posture of the heart that joins human longing to God’s greater plan. It endures with patience, recognising that the ultimate promise transcends individual lifetimes.

Neuroscience research reveals that revenge activates the same reward circuits in our brains as addictive drugs, keeping us trapped in what Ignatian spirituality calls the "false self." Faith-based practices like prayer and meditation literally rewire the brain for mercy over retaliation, offering a path to the spiritual freedom that comes when we choose forgiveness over the ego's demand for revenge.

I recently had a fascinating conversation with Will Dennis, a high school theology teacher and founder of Unscripted Productions, an improv studio dedicated to helping individuals and teams discover their full potential. With a unique background spanning professional theatre, campus ministry, and applied improvisation, Will currently teaches world religions and discernment at Villa Joseph Marie, an all-girls Catholic high school in Pennsylvania.What makes Will's work particularly compelling is his conviction that improv—rooted in radical acceptance and contribution—can genuinely change the world. In our discussion, we explored the profound connections between improvisational theatre and spirituality, particularly through the lens of Ignatian principles like presence, discernment, and finding God in all things. Will shared how improv has become a laboratory for experiencing deep spiritual truths about acceptance, vulnerability, and collaborative co-creation, offering insights that bridge the sacred and the seemingly silly in remarkable ways.Read Will's SubstackUnscripted Productions

God's emotional responses are not rooted in ego or woundedness like human resentment, despair, or vengeance. Instead, divine emotions such as righteous anger, sadness, concern, disappointment, and the desire for justice flow from unconditional love and seek the wholeness and restoration of all creation.

Western Christianity often approaches artificial intelligence with anxiety rooted in dualistic thinking that separates the spiritual from the material, human from machine. Non-dualistic elements within Christian traditions, particularly Ignatian spirituality, offer a more integrated vision that can help us engage with AI as a potential extension of divine creativity rather than a threat to human uniqueness.

Gratitude forms the cornerstone of Ignatian spirituality, establishing the proper relationship between the gift-giver God and humans as recipients rather than takers. This fundamental orientation shapes our entire spiritual life, fostering virtues like humility and generosity whilst providing a powerful antidote to anxiety and negativity.

Language holds profound theological meanings that reveal connections between ordinary speech and divine reality. Jesus' teachings demonstrate how everyday words and concepts can bridge the sacred and secular, inviting us to perceive God's presence in common language.

In an era of societal anxiety and political fear, authentic spiritual hope provides an anchor through connection to our inner centre where we meet God. This hope, as modelled by Simeon and Anna, emerges through joy and active compassion, enabling us to remain present to both suffering and possibility.

Our culture commodifies time, but moments of genuine rest can become encounters with true reality. Through five theological principles—gift, freedom, contemplation, Sabbath, and anticipation—we discover that leisure isn't about escaping reality but about entering more deeply into it, where we encounter our true identity as beloved children of God rather than mere productive units.

Journey through a modern take on St. Ignatius' meditation on the Incarnation. See our digital world—with its smartphones, climate challenges, and global connections—through divine eyes. This Advent reflection, concluding with an original song, explores how God continues to enter our contemporary reality. Explore other meditations on the Ignatian Audio Meditations podcast feed.

While institutions often create complex rules to protect "simple" people, Jesus did the opposite: he kept the law simple while honoring human complexity. His radical approach trusted people's capacity for growth and authentic relationship with God, offering core values rather than elaborate regulations.

Prayer is more about relationship with the divine than a means of control, though humans naturally seek to make meaning from random and profound moments alike. Embracing life's mysteries while finding authentic meaning requires moving beyond simple answers to deeper questions of faith and existence.

Silence, once abundant, has become an endangered resource in our noisy world, impacting our spiritual, mental, and societal well-being. The power of quiet as a spiritual practice and its unequal distribution in society underscore the need to cultivate and protect moments of silence in our daily lives and communities.

Introducing a new podcast for children (and the childlike!) to explore the gospels through the power of imagination and curiosity. Each episode features a story about Jesus from the Catholic lectionary, bringing Scripture to life in a way that’s engaging and accessible for young listeners. Learn more at godinallthings.com/wonder

Human civilization's secular struggle to choose long-term good over immediate gratification aligns with Ignatian spirituality's emphasis on discernment and seeking the greater glory of God.

Hospitality is a sacred, transformative practice rooted in God's own welcoming nature, echoing from creation to Christ, and inviting us to embody divine welcome in our daily lives.

Bartimaeus, a blind man, experiences a profound transformation through his encounter with Jesus. His story invites us to reflect on our own moments of spiritual awakening and the courage it takes to follow Christ.

"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Was Jesus truly giving permission to retain sins? Was his mission not all about unbinding, forgiving, and setting free?

How do we live authentically and in line with our true selves? We accept, unapologetically, that we are loved by God.

Walter Ciszek, a Jesuit priest, endured solitary confinement and harsh conditions in Soviet prisons for 23 years. His trust in God's will and his commitment to living a life of love helped him find hope and inner peace.

Fear and greed are powerful drivers in our financial lives, but the Gospel calls us to a different way of relating to money and possessions. Ignatian spirituality and Catholic social teaching can inspire us to make choices rooted in love, solidarity, and trust in God's abundance.

In a world marked by darkness and despair, this unlikely tale of a lonely robot reminds us of the resilience of life and the transformative power of love.

Ignatius says reverence is part of our purpose in God. But is reverence about how you dress in church or your posture in prayer? Yes and no.

Original Sin isn't just about guilt, but a path to rediscovering our true selves and our relationship with God and all creation.

Ignatius offers tools for us to stay resilient in the storms and uncertainties of life.

The scriptures present many names for God, drawing out the many characteristics of an infinite Creator who is both personal and transcendent. The prophet Isaiah offers four specific names for Christ: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. We are given four images of God, images that may come and go in our lives, and which we draw upon in certain times and needs. In this audio meditation you are invited to pray with these four names and consider their resonance with the God you know.

What are we going to get God for Christmas? Let's explore the four gifts of Advent, their Ignatian connections, and how they become gifts for God.

What will the faith and spirituality look like for those born between 2010-2025? How can Ignatian spirituality be a bridge for that generation?

Explore the five main types of traps that hinder our freedom and block our connection to God. Find freedom through self-awareness.

A recent episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds highlights the compass of our inner movements and emotions, pointing to our true selves.

Knowing our desires and fears can shape our life's journey. Through archetypal stories like fairy tales, we can begin to name our longings and begin to map out our journey to life in the divine.

How can we expand personal discernment into a process that considers how my choices affect generations to come? Being a 'time rebel' expands our view beyond the present, considering how God's project unfolds far beyond me here and now.

What's is God's role in suffering? It might be helpful to see God as a parent who accompanies their child in pain. Written with the assistance of AI (GPT-4).

Ignatian spirituality encourages us to be active partners with God, rather than just blindly following turn-by-turn directions. Written with the assistance of AI (GPT-4).

God gives and gifts abundantly. What can this tell us about the nature of gift giving?

The rapid progression of AI technology raises theological and philosophical questions about what it means to be human.

Use the five keys of discernment to find clarity and direction in all your decisions.

We are all seekers, longing for inner peace and purpose. What if we already had what we were seeking all along?

Pope Francis' recent catechises on discernment offers some helpful perspectives on Ignatian decision-making, including the importance of time, setbacks, desire, and self-knowledge.

Why do we "strive" for holiness as if it's something to attain? Holiness should not create separateness, but unity.