2. Because they lead the way to the perfect imitation of Christ. By his Spiritual Exercises St. Ignatius makes us conceive the most lofty ambition that can be aroused within the human heart, namely to make itself comformable to the heart of Jesus; and by his rules he guides us through all the details of our earthly career to the realization of this lofty purpose.
POINT III. How do our rules accomplish this end? By animating all our actions with the spirit of the three highest virtues: of Faith, Hope and Charity.
1. They aid us to lead a life of faith. For whenever we observe a rule, we thereby elicit an act of faith, accepting the letter of the rule or the word of our superior as the expression of the Divine will. Our life is thus made to consist of a succession of supernatural acts.
2. They make us live a life of hope. He that follows his own judgment leans on a fragile reed; but he that acts because the rules prescribe a certain course thereby trusts God more than his own reasoning and thus hopes in the help of God. He shall not be disappointed.
3. They perfect in us the love of God. For they constantly prescribe what tends to the greater glory of God: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
Do I observe all my rules faithfully? Does any of them cause me a special difficulty? Perhaps I do not understand it well; all of them, if rightly understood, are most reasonable.
Colloquy with our dear Lord, asking for great fidelity to observe all our rules.
MEDITATION V
Zeal for Souls
1st Prelude. Hear Christ saying: “I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I but that it be kindled?” (St. Luke xii, 49).
2nd Prelude. Ask earnestly that this fire be enkindled in your heart and that you may help to spread it far and wide.