While I was in Guelph for my eight day retreat, this wonderful piece of art adorned the courtyard and gardens of Loyala House.  So often during the day sitting in front of the huge picture windows, you would see this sculpture as well as the rolling farmlands heading out to Fergus and Owen Sound.

I saw this as a statue first of all and then began to see it quite differently as the week went on and the spiritual direction went deeper.  It moved from being just a statue, to become a piece of art that had me contemplating it.

I began to look at the piece of art and say..."it appears to be leaning forward, almost as if in a wind." The figure (whom I thought was Saint Ignatius) seemed to be clutching its clothes in front.  I moved out into the garden and inspected it more closely.  It was indeed doing that.  As I went deeper into direction and my own story, there was a sense of becoming connected to this wondros piece of art that began to come to life for me.

I look into my own life and my story and what I am living, and there has been a sense of being into a head wind but rather than turn away, it was a sense of bundling up, holding on and moving forward with as much determination and faith and trust as this piece of art. Bit by bit, I was becoming this figure.  I watched as the day and its climate conditions changed adding a new twist to how it appeared before me.  There was early dawn, dark of night with just a single light on it, there was sunset, there was morning mist and fog, bright sunshine and cloudy conditions.  My journey has been one in the same.  I had felt the same, but in the midst of it, I felt the same leaning  forward.  I then noticed that there was a plaque with an inscription...I thought "Saint Ignatius" as this was a Jesuit retreat center.  I journeyed and was surprised to see "Ignatius the pilgrim" on the plaque.  It sent me to reflecting once more.  I was that pilgrim moving forward but not clutching my clothes, but rather my heart as I moved forward.

In my ministry, I have followed my heart and have not been let down or astray, for that is where the gospel has lived and my relationship with God has deepened.  It is where I have heard the voice that would set me free.  I was not let down during this time.  Walking with the story of Ignatius, the freedom of the scripture passages I prayed with, I was able to hear the story of my heart, the whispers of God's love.

I have always asked for people to risk to pray for me in this way.  It was a way that would set me free to hear God's voice.  Many of the great Advent characters from scripture lived this freedom.  Isaiah, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist and countless others.  It was a walk of faith, one filled with decisions that were not popular.  But a walk that like Ignatius made them lean forward into the wind and press on.  And that walk for me continues...

Until next time....

Jeff