The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin, SJ is an accessible guide to Jesuit spiritual practices, aimed at the layperson. Martin weaves together autobiographical elements, biographical accounts from the life of Ignatius of Loyola, and descriptions of the Jesuit way of life and prayer as he invites his readers into a relationship with God. Though a major weakness is the way in which Martin seems to view all religious paths as valid, and thus some content should be read with discernment, his book invites Christian readers into a joyful, free relationship with Jesus.
In his introduction to Ignatian spirituality, he writes:
The way of Ignatius is about finding freedom: the freedom to become the person you've meant to be, to love and accept love, to make good decisions, and to experience the beauty of creation and the mystery of God's love (1). He later expands this theme into an exploration of how to see our desires in relationship to God, and how bring our deepest desires before God in a way that shapes us towards holiness. Later in the book, he helpfully and simply describes the five steps of the Ignatian examine as a model for reflection and confession.
Before you begin, as in all prayer, remind yourself that you're in God's presence, and ask God to help you with your prayer.
1. Gratitude: Recall anything from the day for which you are especially grateful, and give thanks.
2. Review: Recall the events of the day, from start to finish, noticing where you felt God's presence, and where you accepted or turned away from any invitations to grow in love.
3. Sorrow: Recall any actions for which you are sorry.
4. Forgiveness: Ask for God's forgiveness. Decide whether you want to reconcile with anyone you have hurt.
5. Grace: Ask for the grace you need for the next day and an ability to see God's presence more clearly. (97)
A major theme of Martin's exploration of Jesuit spirituality is the development of a relationship with God, and a way of viewing life that sees God in all things. In an autobiographical reflection, he describes his realization of the nature of friendship with Jesus.
If Jesus were my friend, he would be happy to listen to me. He would celebrate with me over my successes and be sad with me over my disappointments. He would want the best for me. And he would want to spend time with me and hear about my life. Then I wondered what Jesus of Nazareth was really like...It must have been wonderful to be around him, to have him give you support, to answer your questions. It felt good, even exciting, to think about Jesus like this. I started to think about wanting him as a friend. (109).
Though many readers may not accept all practices suggested by Martin as valid or helpful in Christian worship, the book is both enjoyable and helpful in many ways. Martin describes many ways of prayer, being with Jesus, and orienting life in relationship with God. These gems provide a glimpse into the wonder of a relationship with God, as well as accessible suggestions to use along the journey.
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life
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