St. Ignatius would say, “It is not knowing much, but realising and relishing things interiorly, that contents and satisfies the soul.” Ignatius invites us to an in-depth examen not only of our ideas, but also our feelings, so that we can see where the path towards the fullness of human life is leading us and can identify and reject that which deceives us, entangles us, divides us, and takes away true joy.
This is just what spiritual discernment comprises. We have to accompany young people by helping them develop this capacity, which they already possess, so that amid so much information and so many distracting and tempting options, they can discern what is worthless and what is of real value, and zone in on what is essential. It is a reminder to not let oneself get distracted or swept up in superficialities, so that one may truly know oneself and others in depth. It’s also possible to promote this on social media, in the digital world, and that’s why we are there. We should not just be caught up in what’s new but try to go deeper. Young people also reach the point where they consider this themselves.
—Excerpted from Walking with Ignatius by Arturo Sosa, SJ