Insights

The Spiritual Freedom to Follow Christ: Lessons from St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Gospel of Mark

In his influential work, The Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola describes three classes of persons in their journey to follow Christ: the postponer, the compromiser, and the free person. Each represents a different approach to discipleship and highlights the varying degrees of commitment and freedom in one’s spiritual life.

The Three Classes of Persons

  1. The Postponer: This individual recognizes the call to follow Christ but delays commitment due to other priorities. The postponer says, “I’ll start following Christ, but perhaps tomorrow,” always finding reasons to defer true dedication.
  2. The Compromiser: This person follows Christ but with conditions. The compromiser’s mantra is, “I’ll follow Christ as long as God gives me the opportunities I need for my career.” They negotiate with God, seeking to balance their spiritual life with their personal ambitions.
  3. The Free Person: The truly free person follows Christ by detaching from anything that hinders their relationship with Him. Their approach is, “I will free myself from anything that would prevent me from genuinely following Christ.” This individual places Christ at the center of their life and mission.

The Gospel of Mark and the Call to Travel Light

The Gospel of Mark (Mark 6:7-13) reinforces the importance of spiritual freedom in the mission of following Christ. Jesus instructs His apostles to travel light, emphasizing reliance on God’s provision rather than material security. He advises them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money. This directive highlights the potential distractions even good and practical items can pose. By trusting in God’s grace, the apostles are freed from the anxiety of their needs, focusing instead on their mission.

Modern-Day Distractions and the Call to Focus on Christ

In our contemporary lives, we encounter numerous distractions that, while not inherently bad, can impede our spiritual journey. Personal goals such as career advancement and self-improvement are commendable, yet they can lead us to prioritize our needs over others’. Seeking comfort is beneficial for mental health, but it can also make us hesitant to take bold actions. Technology fosters connections but can isolate us if overused.

These distractions can prevent us from being free for Christ’s mission of loving God and others. Therefore, we must focus on what is essential: our relationship with Jesus. This does not mean abandoning practical concerns but reorienting our lives so that Christ remains at the center of all our endeavors, guiding our priorities and actions.

Embracing Freedom in Christ

Focusing solely on Christ helps us grow in loving trust in God. By doing so, we allow God to transform our hearts, recognizing that His grace is sufficient, just as the apostles were empowered by God’s grace for their mission.

At times, we may find ourselves as postponers or compromisers. However, what truly matters is our persistent effort to become free persons. We must continually strive to detach from anything that distracts us from authentically following Jesus and embrace the freedom to fulfill God’s mission. Trusting that the One who sends us will provide ensures that we will never be in want.

St. Ignatius of Loyola’s wisdom and the teachings of the Gospel of Mark remind us of the importance of spiritual freedom in our journey of discipleship. By placing Christ at the center, we can navigate the distractions of life and grow in our mission to love and serve God and others. Let us pray for the grace to be free persons, wholeheartedly committed to following Christ and trusting in His divine provision.