Dreams and Desires

‘ Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.’ (John 6: 27)

While convalescing from his injuries after the Battle of Pamplona, Ignatius passed the time partly by daydreaming about the great deeds he would perform and the beautiful ladies he would woo once he was well. When he was offered books about the Life of Christ and the Lives of the Saints, however, his daydreaming took a new direction. He began dreaming of how he could be a saint too, and accomplish great things for God as they had done.

It was then that he noticed a difference between his daydreams. Those focused on earthly achievements and conquests soon faded, leaving him feeling rather empty. Those focused on the heavenly kingdom retained their attraction, leaving him feeling inspired and energised. It was the difference between mere daydreams and God-dreams. The daydreams reflected only his more superficial hopes and wishes. The God-dreams were expressions of his deepest, often unacknowledged desires.

Reflection

Does this distinction speak to my heart? Do I recognise any of my more superficial wants and wishes? 

As I enter more deeply into prayer, can I detect the traces of my own deepest desires? What do I most truly long for?
Don’t be afraid of ‘desire’. At its deepest level, it is the point where our own longings meet God’s longing for us.

Prayer for Today

Please help me to recognise the difference between those things I desire that are only superficial, and those that are rooted in the deepest centre of my heart. Give me the grace to focus my attention and energy on what is deepest, and gradually relinquish my striving after what has no lasting value. Draw me more deeply into the heart of what I truly long for, so that in that pure space my longings may be united with your longing for me.

Novena prayer

Lord, I come into your presence, drawn by your Holy Spirit, inspired by the life and teaching of your servant Ignatius and bringing before you my own intention in this time of prayer (name your personal intention). Like Ignatius, I desire to know you more clearly, to follow you more nearly and to love you more dearly. Echoing his words and in the power of your Spirit, I dare to pray: Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours, dispose of it according to your will. Give me only your love and grace. This is enough for me.’