Monday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
In Ignatian Spirituality one of the basic concepts is 'Magis' which, in Latin, means 'more'. Magis, refers to the ever-increasing generosity, openness, and greatheartedness necessary to develop and sustain relationships with God and others. "Magis has been described as 'the Jesuit “itch”—a restlessness in service, an ambition to maintain high standards of performance, a desire to conquer new frontiers." (ignatianspirtuality.com) For us, magis is our willingness to always give more got the glory of God. We are loved by a God who loves without limit. While we try our best to love him in return, what more can we do? How can we be living examples of 'the magis'…the 'more'?
The book of Sirach says, "To the penitent God provides a way back, he encourages those who are losing hope and has chosen for them the lot of truth." This is the generosity of our God. Over and over, we can find ourselves struggling with the same sinful patterns and the same discouragement at our inability to change ourselves. We forget that God is the One who changes us. Today's Gospel relates the story of the rich young man who follows the commandments and lives an upright life. But he finds himself incapable of the magis even when Jesus tells him exactly what he must do to inherit eternal life. And he goes away sad. Whether we see our primary struggle as giving up something or giving more of something, the answer is what Jesus tells us in the Gospel reading: "For men it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God."
This day, may we pray for the strength and the fortitude to reject discouragement of any kind. May we pray for the grace to turn our hearts completely to the God whose love will accomplish all. May we proceed with radical trust that God's mercy and peace prevails above all and always. May God grant us the grace to live in the 'magis', the ongoing openness and generosity, that God offers each and every moment of our lives. Amen.
-Gail Lyman