Monday, March 26, 2012

Lent: Holy Indifference


Indifference is a word that has negative connotations to me. It suggests apathy; an unfeeling disconnect toward someone or something. For a big time feeler, that is the antithesis of how I live and relate to the world. I feel deeply. I’m rarely indifferent. 

During Lent and this particular time in my life, I’m learning something about the virtue of indifference—holy indifference as taught by the 15th century Spanish priest, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius instructed Christ followers to be “active” in their pursuit of God and his will and “indifferent” to the outcome of his will. Yea, right….   

Sounds like a stretch to me, especially as it relates to our dream of starting an urban retreat center in Indianapolis (SFI). We put a “For Sale” sign in the front yard in September and started looking for a suitable property. Neither goal has been achieved and I don’t feel indifferent about it. 

Frankly, we are exhausted. With multiple showings on any given day or week, we are constantly cleaning, vacating our home (with dog in tow) and crashing at a local coffee shop to work. We question how long we can keep this up. 

But sometimes it’s the small adjustments of heart that make a difference.   
                    
Through a friend, I was reminded of St. Ignatius’ teaching about holy indifference and began to read and contemplate its meaning for me during this trying time. Holy or active indifference suggests that we energetically do what we can to pursue God’s path, but entrust God with the outcome. We embrace the deep and true desires of our heart, but remain “detached” from their ultimate fulfillment. 

Here’s an illustration that comes to mind. During my last two pregnancies, I had a condition called placenta accreta where the placenta attached too deeply to the uterine wall. After I delivered the baby, the placenta wouldn’t detach and had to be removed surgically, causing excessive bleeding—scary stuff. 

Similarly, I create an unhealthy condition of soul when I attach too deeply to my dreams or visions of life; to certain relationships or things. That attachment can crowd out my affection for God and impair the freedom he longs for me to experience. 

This way of holy indifference doesn’t come naturally to me. I have an addictive nature. I want to cling to things that promise fulfillment. I feel wobbly as I find my way in the tension of active indifference; doing what I can while holding my desires loosely. Yet, this small adjustment of heart seems very healthy and right. It also seems well-suited for Lent--a time when I walk with Jesus in his humanity, suffering and surrender to the cross.

38 comments:

Friar Tuck said...

This is really helpful stuff. As a minister I have found sometimes my best ministry was done when I was less wound up about it and the results I would get, and was just a tiny bit more "indifferent.

Thanks.

Unknown said...

Thanks for commenting. It's good to hear that you've discovered something about this "holy indifference" and the fruit it bears. Looking for it....

Peregrine travel said...

this is really useful for me its theme is so cute and all article is informative.thanks for this great sharing
Peregrine travel

Anonymous said...

Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the
same niche. Your blog provided us useful information
to work on. You have done a outstanding job!

Here is my website Wholesale Jerseys

Anonymous said...

For the reason that the admin of this website is working, no question very rapidly it will
be renowned, due to its quality contents.

Also visit my web site: www.tedxyse.com

Anonymous said...

Hi, I desire to subscribe for this webpage to take hottest updates, thus where can i do it please help out.


Also visit my web blog ... Cheap Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

Very nice article, just what I needed.

Feel free to surf to my homepage - cheap Jerseys

Anonymous said...

I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and exposure!

Keep up the terrific works guys I've you guys to my own blogroll.

Stop by my blog post - Nike Air Max

Anonymous said...

Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular post!
It's the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!

Here is my web blog :: Chaussures De Football

Anonymous said...

Can I simply say what a comfort to uncover
someone that really knows what they're discussing online. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you're
not more popular since you most certainly possess
the gift.

My homepage :: Air Jordan Pas Cher

Anonymous said...

Hi there, I believe your web site could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues.
Whenever I take a look at your web site in
Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it has
some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
Besides that, excellent blog!

Feel free to surf to my page - Air Max

Anonymous said...

Having read this I believed it was very enlightening.

I appreciate you taking the time and energy to
put this content together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of
time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!


Review my blog post: Abercrombie

Anonymous said...

Stunning story there. What occurred after? Thanks!


my site - Louis Vuitton Bags

Anonymous said...

Very great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I've really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing on your feed and I am hoping you write once more soon!

Also visit my page :: Michael Kors Bags

Anonymous said...

Please let me know if you're looking for a article writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd really like to write some
content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.

Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Regards!


My weblog: nfl jerseys cheap

Anonymous said...

Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular
post! It's the little changes which will make the largest changes. Thanks for sharing!

Look at my web-site :: Authentic Sidney Crosby Jersey

Anonymous said...

This blog was... how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped
me. Kudos!

Here is my blog post Air Jordan 2013

Anonymous said...

Because the admin of this website is working, no question
very rapidly it will be renowned, due to its feature contents.


My blog post; Cheap Louis Vuitton Handbags

Anonymous said...

Hello, yeah this post is in fact nice and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging.
thanks.

Also visit my site :: article source

Anonymous said...

Howdy outstanding blog! Does running a blog similar to this require a massive amount work?
I've no understanding of coding however I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, if you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject but I just needed to ask. Thanks!

Look into my homepage: http://slc-wireless.com/

Anonymous said...

It's hard to find well-informed people for this subject, however, you sound like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks

my website :: click for source

Anonymous said...

Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog
and wanted to say that I've really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing on your rss feed and I hope you write once more soon!

Also visit my homepage: Tory Burch Flats

Anonymous said...

Thanks to my father who shared with me concerning
this blog, this webpage is in fact awesome.

My web site: Christian Louboutin Heels

Anonymous said...

I am sure this paragraph has touched all the internet viewers, its really really good piece of writing on
building up new website.

Look into my blog Click Here

Anonymous said...

Hurrah, that's what I was exploring for, what a information! present here at this web site, thanks admin of this web site.

my weblog ... occupyedmonton.org

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News?

I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it

Also visit my site ... Sac A Main Louis Vuitton []

Anonymous said...

http://mckague.org/IndianapolisColts.html In case you believe that you will likely be producing a difference within the environment by acquiring a plug-in hybrid vehicle, you could possibly choose to give your acquire a bit much far more thought. Plug-in hybrids do help using the atmosphere, but just due to the fact they in no way depend on fuel as considerably as standard hybrid automobiles do, does not imply they're incredibly valuable for the atmosphere. Seriously, for several causes, plug-in hybrid automobiles are usually not lots much better than frequent hybrid cars when it comes to the green [url=http://mckague.org/DallasCowboys.html]DeMarcus Ware Jersey[/url]
http://www.mckague.org/OaklandRaiders.html They will likely be eye-catching, excellent astral diamonds neverwinter. [url=http://mckague.org/GreenBayPackers.html]Jordy Nelson Jersey[/url] http://www.mckague.org/PittsburghSteelers1.html When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with all the very same comment. Is there any way you could eliminate people from that service? Thank you! [url=http://mckague.org/HoustonTexans.html]Johnathan Joseph Jersey[/url]
http://mckague.org/Broncos.html All companies have enterprise processes that might be improved. Most firms can benefit from automation or further automation of solutions. [url=http://www.mckague.org/NewEnglandPatriots.html]Aaron Hernandez Jersey[/url]

Anonymous said...

I constantly emailed this webpage post page to all my friends, since if like to read it
after that my friends will too.

My blog - Sac Louis Vuitton

Anonymous said...

When someone writes an paragraph he/she maintains
the thought of a user in his/her brain that how
a user can understand it. Therefore that's why this post is amazing. Thanks!

Feel free to surf to my blog post - Nike Pas Cher []

Anonymous said...

I really like what you guys are up too. This kind of
clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I've included you guys to my own blogroll.

Stop by my blog; Boutique Air Jordan

Anonymous said...

I don't even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!

Here is my web site - Cheap Jerseys

Anonymous said...

I visited many websites except the audio feature for audio songs existing at
this web page is actually superb.

my blog post - Kobe Bryant Shoes 2013

Anonymous said...

This is my first time go to see at here and i am
genuinely happy to read everthing at one place.

my weblog - Kevin Durant 5 Shoes :: http://nysacpr.org/ ::

Anonymous said...

I don't even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you're goіng to а fаmous blogger if
уou are nοt already ;) Сheeгs!


Feel free to ѕurf to mу blοg: Hubaufzug

Anonymous said...

Ѕaved as a favorite, I really like your website!


My wеb blog buy best cheapest stairlifts

Anonymous said...

Verу nice pοst. I sіmply stumbled upon
youг weblog and wanted to say that I've truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing on your feed and I'm hoping yоu ωrite agaіn soon!


Also viѕit mу weblοg; buy сheap used yacht ()

Anonymous said...

mаgnifiсent ρublish, very infоrmativе.
I'm wondering why the other specialists of this sector don't notice thіs.
Yοu muѕt procеed youг wгiting.
І'm sure, you have a huge readers' basе alreаdy!


my ωeb ρage: Treppenlift günstig

Anonymous said...

ecigarette, smokeless cigarette, smokeless cigarettes, electronic cigarette, electronic cigarette brands, smokeless cigarettes