How To Make A Choice

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HOW TO MAKE A CHOICE

by Saint Ignatius of Loyola

In every good choice, as far as depends on us, our intention must be simple. I must consider only the end for which I am created, that is, for the praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of my soul. Hence, whatever I choose must help me to this end for which I am created.

I must not subject and fit the end to the means, but the means to the end. Many first choose marriage, which is a means, and secondarily the service of God our Lord in marriage, though the service of God is the end. So also others first choose to have benefices, and afterwards to serve God in them. Such persons do not go directly to God, but want God to conform wholly to their inordinate attachments. Consequently, they make of the end a means, and of the means an end. As a result, what hey ought to seek first, they seek last.

Therefore, my first aim should be to seek to serve God, which is the end, and only after that, if it is more profitable, to have a benefice or marry, for these are means to an end. Nothing must move me to use such means, or to deprive myself of them, save only the service and praise of God our Lord, and the salvation of my soul.

MATTERS ABOUT WHICH A CHOICE SHOULD BE MADE

The purpose of this consideration is to afford information on the matters about which a choice should be made. It contains four points and a note

First Point ~ It is necessary that all matters of which we wish to make a choice be either indifferent or good in themselves, and such that they are lawful within our Holy Mother, the hierarchical Holy Catholic Church, and not bad or opposed to her.

Second Point ~ There are things that fall under an unchangeable choice, such as the priesthood, marriage, etc. There are others with regard to which our choice may be changed, for example, to accept to relinquish a benefice, to receive or renounce temporal goods.

Third Point ~ With regard to an unchangeable choice, once it has been made, for instance, by marriage or the the priesthood, etc., since it cannot be undone, no further choice is possible. Only this is to be noted. If the choice has not been made as it should have been, and with due order, that is, if it was not made without inordinate attachments, one should be sorry for this, and take care to live well in the life he has chosen.

Since such a choice was inordinate and awry, it does not seem to be a vocation from God, as many erroneously believe. They make a divine call out of a perverse and wicked choice. For every vocation that comes from God is always pure and undefiled, uninfluenced by the flesh or any inordinate attachement.

Fourth Point ~ In matters that may be changed, if one has made a choice properly and with due order, without any yielding to the flesh or the world, there seems to be no reason why he should make it over. But let him perfect himself as much as possible in the one he has made.

Note ~ It is to be observed that if a choice in matters that are subject to change has not been made sincerely and with due order, then, if one desires to bring forth fruit that is worthwhile and most pleasing in the sight of God our Lord, it will be profitable to make a choice in the proper way.

THREE TIMES WHEN A CORRECT AND GOOD CHOICE OF A WAY OF LIFE MAY BE MADE

FIRST TIME ~ When God our Lord so moves and attracts the will that a devout soul without hesitation, or the possibility of hesitation, follows what has been manifested to it. St. Paul and St. Matthew acted thus in following Christ our Lord.

SECOND TIME ~ When much light and understanding are derived through experience of desolations and consolations and discernment of diverse spirits.

THIRD TIME ~ This is a time of tranquility. One considers first for what purpose man is born, that is, for the praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of his soul. With the desire to attain this before his mind, he chooses as a means to this end a kind of life or state within the bounds of the Church that will be a help in the service of his Lord and for the salvation of his soul.

I said it is a time of tranquility, that is, a time when the soul is not agitated by different spirits, and has free and peaceful use of its natural powers.

If a choice of a way of life has not been made in the first and second time, below are given:

TWO WAYS OF MAKING A CHOICE OF A WAY OF LIFE IN THE THIRD TIME

FIRST WAY OF MAKING A GOOD AND CORRECT CHOICE OF A WAY OF LIFE

This contains six points

First Point ~ This is to place before my mind the object with regard to which I wish to make a choice, for example, an office, or the reception or rejection of benefice, or anything else that may be the object of a choice subject to change.

Second Point ~ It is necessary to keep as my aim the end for which I am created, that is, the praise of God our Lord and the salvation of my soul. Besides this, I must be indifferent, without any inordinate attachment, so that I am not more inclined or disposed to accept the object in question than to relinquish it, nor to give it up than to accept it. I should be like a balance at equilibrium, without leaning to either side, that I might be ready to follow whatever I perceive is more for the glory and praise of God our Lord and for the salvation of my soul.

Third Point ~ I should beg God our Lord to deign to move my will, and to bring to mind what I ought to do in this matter that would be more for His praise and glory. Then I should use the understanding to weigh the matter with care and fidelity, and make my choice in conformity with what would be more pleasing to His most holy will.

Fourth Point ~ This will be to weigh the matter by reckoning the number of advantages and benefits that would accrue to me if I had the proposed office or benefice solely for the praise of God our Lord and the salvation of my soul. On the other hand, I should weigh the disadvantages and dangers there might be in having it. I will do the same with the second alternative, that is, weigh the advantages and benefits as well as the disadvantages and danger of not having it.

Fifth Point ~ After I have gone over and pondered in this way every aspect of the matter in question, I will consider which alternative appears more reasonable. Then I must come to a decision in the matter under deliberation because of weightier motives presented to my reason, and not because of any sensual inclination.

Sixth Point ~ After such a choice or decision, the one who has made it must turn with great diligence to prayer in the presence of God our Lord, and offer Him his choice that the Divine Majesty may deign to accept and confirm it if it is for His greater service and praise.

SECOND WAY OF MAKING A CORRECT AND GOOD CHOICE OF A WAY OF LIFE

This contains four rules and a note

First Rule ~ The love that moves and causes one to choose must descend from above, that is, from the love of God, so that before one chooses he should perceive that the greater or less attachment for the object of his choice is solely because of His Creator and Lord.

Second Rule ~ I should represent to myself a man whom I have never seen or known, and whom I would like to see practice all perfection. Then I should consider what I would tell him to do and choose for the greater glory of God our Lord and the greater perfection of his soul. I will do the same, and keep the rule I propose to others.

Third Rule ~ This is to consider what procedure and norm of action I would wish to have followed in making the present choice if I were at the moment of death. I will guide myself by this and make my decision entirely in conformity with it.

Fourth Rule ~ Let me picture and consider myself as standing in the presence of my Judge on the last day, and reflect what decision in the present matter I would then wish to have made. I will choose now the rule of life that I would then wish to have observed, that on the day of Judgment I may be filled with happiness and joy.

Note ~ Guided by the rules given above for my eternal salvation and peace, I will make my decision, and will offer it to God our Lord as directed in the sixth point of the First Way of Making a Choice of a Way of Life

DIRECTIONS FOR THE AMENDMENT AND REFORMATION OF ONE’S WAY OF LIVING IN HIS STATE OF LIFE

It must be borne in mind that some may be established in an ecclesiastical office, or may be married, and hence cannot make a choice of a state of life, or , in matters that may be changed and hence are subject to a choice, they may not be very willing to make one.

It will be very profitable for such persons, whether they possess great wealth or not, in place of a choice, to propose a way for each to reform his manner of living in his state by setting before him the purpose of his creation and of his life and position, namely, the glory and praise of God our Lord and the salvation of his soul.

If he is really to attain this end, during the Exercises and during the consideration of the ways of making a choice as explained above, he will have to examine and weigh in all its details how large a household he should maintain, how he ought to rule and govern it, how he ought to teach its members by word and example. So too he should consider what part of his means should be used for his family and household, how much should be set aside for distribution to the poor and other pious purposes.

Let him desire and seek nothing except the greater praise and glory of God our Lord as the aim of all he does. For everyone must keep in mind that in all that concerns the spiritual life his progress will be in proportion to his surrender of self-love and of his own will and intersests.

The Life of Saint Ignatius of Loyola



-- james (elgreco1541@hotmail.com), November 01, 2003

Answers

Hey! James. Loyola is perhaps one of my most interesting subjects. How I wish I could have been born during his time. I would have been one of his priests. It's ok to imagine, yes? I don't care what anybody says; the Jesuits are/were amazing!

rod..

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), November 01, 2003.


Yep, the Jesuits are great priests ~ completely dedicated to the Pope; they follow his every command. I like the way the preach, too ~ very practical.



-- james (elgreco1541@hotmail.com), November 01, 2003.


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