| |JCU Home Page > About JCU | Mission | Academics | Campus Life | Athletics | Alumni | |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
| JCU Religious
Studies Department |
|
| Jesuit Community at John Carroll |
|
| The Life of St. Ignatius | |
| Web Resources for Ignatian
Prayer and Spirituality |
|
| Retreat Centers | |
|
|
|
IGNIS JR. DIRECTORY |
FROM THE DIRECTOR
I see two elements in this presentation of hope:
Hope is always connected with yearning, with desire. Without desire there would be no hope. Hope always yearns for something not yet present. As Paul says in Romans 8:24-25, “Hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Hope is also accompanied by a certain confidence that it is justified. In the deepest darkness of winter, spring may seem far away, but I know for sure that it will come. One day soon crocuses will begin poking their heads through the frozen ground and spring will be on its way. How do I know this? It has happened every year of my life so far! There can be a peace in my winter days; I may even be able to see a certain beauty in them, because I know with hope’s sureness that spring will come. This side of hope is what is often called trust. It is no accident that each year we celebrate the Paschal Mystery during the time when winter breaks into the beginning of spring. The dying of winter and the new life pangs of spring help us to accompany Jesus through his passion and death, noticing how much he was a person of hope. He longed for the coming of God’s reign; he longed for the healing of the suffering masses he met along his journey. But when his mission seemed to be in shambles, in Gethsemane and in the utter darkness of the cross, then his trust in the God who had always sustained him came to his aid. Because of this trust, he was able to die in hope that God would somehow bring life out of death. Let us pray for each other this Passiontide and Easter, so that we may grow into Christ’s hope, in him and through him, and that it may sustain us in all the winters of our lives. I want to thank all who submitted information for this issue of Ignis Jr. It is wonderful to hear from folks I no longer see on a regular basis, and I think the same is true for all of you. No matter how unimportant your news might seem to you, it is news to us, and we love hearing from you. Don't forget to talk to at least one person you think would be qualified about the possibility of applying to the ISI. We have only four applications so far for next year. If each of you would mention ISI to one person, that would help spread the word!! Finally, let me call special attention to our Reunion and Reflection Day on April 12, which is highlighted in yellow on the Events Page. It would be great if many alumni could come. It is open to others, of course, but is designed with the alumni especially in mind.
Peace and all good things,
|
After last weekend’s adventure removing what seemed like miles of snow from my driveway, I am hoping fiercely for the beginning of spring! Aren’t you? Aren’t you tired of the ice, the snow, the gray days, the shoveling, the slipping and sliding, the torturously slow traffic, the car scraping, the layers of winter clothing, the cold? And don’t your hearts hope for the coming of spring, longer daylight hours, warmth, maybe some sun, even in Northeast Ohio! Yes, for sure, we hope for spring!
Even if you already know everything there is to know about the Enneagram, come anyway – there is always more to learn, Maria and Anne are great, and there is joy in reunion.