In the Principle and Foundation at the beginning of the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius introduces us to the concept of “indifference.” By this word he does not mean that we do not care, but that all our choices should simply be guided by answering the question, “What will lead to a closer and more loving relationship with God and all creation?” If we make anything else the center of our lives, we break our relationship with God and hinder our growth as loving persons. Indifference is actually freedom from disordered attachments which keep us from fullness of life.
I think a seriously disordered attachment is what we see in today’s gospel when the Pharisees are making the Sabbath more important than mercy and healing. I think this is also something Pope Francis has warned us about in so many ways. Most recently, he has asked his own staff to examine their own consciences about disordered attachments in the way they perceive themselves and their jobs.
Every day, I need to remind myself to ask, what is really important? What does love require? How will the choices I make today contribute best to the praise, reverence and service of God?
—David McNulty works for the Midwest Jesuits. Dave and his wife Judy are grandparents of six.