Chapter 8 -- The First Week of the Spiritual Exercises  
  Chapter 8

The First Week of the Spiritual Exercises


          This chapter looks at the assumptions in making the Spiritual Exercises, the notion of order/disorder in Ignatius, the Principle and Foundation and the First Week.
 
 
 

For Chapter 8 --

it will be helpful to review [23]
and
  Annotations 
[1] to [20]
[24] to [44]. 

The First Week is the   most adapted section   of the Spiritual   Exercises.

Pray and Reflect: 
  1. Knowing my sin is a revelation from God.
  2. Make an examination of conscience by using application of senses.
  3. Have I a blind spot I cannot or will not admit? 
  4. How has my sinfulness affected the apostolate? 
  5. Not that I love God; but God loves me.
  6. What responsibility do I take for persons, places, and structures? 
  7. Sin in the Spiritual Exercises is personal, social and cosmic. 
  8. Am I willing to have God teach me my real sin?

 Wonder and Discuss:

  1. The imagery of the First Week is adapted because it is harsh to modern ears, and we now have a different grasp of the reality of sin.
  2. Indifference is poised spiritual liberty. 
  3. Creative imagination is more than the use of fantasy. 
  4. God's love in the First Week is covenantal love rather than contractual love. 
  5. The primary penance for sin is laboring with Christ to build the Kingdom.
  6. What are the areas of sinfulness that are common today?
  7. How will they differ according to the age, culture, and life style of a directee?

  8.  


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