HomeSpiritualityThe Danger of Excessive Spiritual Practices

The Danger of Excessive Spiritual Practices

St. Ignatius, writing to Jesuits in Portugal, about the problems with spiritual disciplines that he deemed excessive:The first is that God is not really served in the long run, as the horse worn out in the first days does not as a rule finish the journey, and thus it happens that someone must be found to care for it.

Second, gains that are made through such excessive eagerness do not usually endure, as Scripture says, wealth gathered in haste will dwindle [Prov. 13:11]. Not only dwindle, but it may be the cause of a fall: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble [Prov. 19:2]; and if he stumbles, the further he falls, the greater the danger for he will not stop until he has reached the bottom of the ladder.

Third, there is the danger of being careless in overloading the vessel. There is danger, of course, in sailing it empty, as it can then be tossed about on the waves of temptation; but there is also danger of so overloading it that it sinks.

Jim Manney
Jim Manneyhttps://www.jimmanneybooks.com/
Jim Manney is the author of highly praised popular books on Ignatian spirituality, including A Simple, Life-Changing Prayer (about the Daily Examen) and God Finds Us (about the Spiritual Exercises). He is the compiler/editor of An Ignatian Book of Days. His latest book is What Matters Most and Why. He and his wife live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

1 COMMENT

  1. There is always a danger in serving God ~ we are human and will fail at times. Still we should wholeheartedly attempt to seek and please God always. God will forgive and teach us. God will fine tune us as we live out our faith. Faith on this side of heaven is a journey ~ the final destination is heaven for those who are in Christ Jesus the Lord! Halleluia! JESUS SAVES!

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