Magnamity

“Thanks to magnanimity, we can always look at the horizon from the position where we are. That means being able to do the little things of every day with a big heart open to God and to others. That means being able to appreciate the small things inside large horizons, those of the kingdom of God. This offers parameters to assume a correct position for discernment, in order to hear the things of God from God’s ‘point of view.’ … [However] the risk in seeking and finding God in all things, then, is the willingness to explain too much, to say with human certainty and arrogance: ‘God is here.’ We will find only a god that fits our measure. The correct attitude is that of St. Augustine: seek God to find him, and find God to keep searching for God forever.”

-- Pope Francis

NOTE: By now, surely you've heard about Pope Francis' lengthy personal interview with a number of Jesuit publications around the world, including America magazine. The quote above is excerpted from that interview. If you haven't done so already, please seriously consider reading the entire interview. It is well worth it. Don't rely on the regular news media to summarize and spin its content for you. Context is everything. This man conveys a solid message consistent with the Gospel which goes far beyond the political and cultural issues of the day and strikes at the very core of humanity's being. As the pastor of a church I was visiting in Cincinnati told his parishioners on Sunday, "If you do only one thing this week for the good of your spiritual life, read this." Click here for a PDF version of the interview from Thinking Faith, the online journal of the British Jesuits (it's the same interview as that in America). Print it out, read it, and keep it.  -- Br. Francis