by Gary Reinecke | Mar 26, 2025 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
Why would I want to suffer?
Great question!
The answer is – “You shouldn’t!” Unless you understand the “why?”
Below I attempt to explain the intent, desire, and purpose behind this week’s grace from the pen of St. Ignatius:
“The grace you are seeking is to sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, with tears and interior suffering because of the suffering Christ endured for you.”
St. Ignatius (1491-1556)
Sitting in the uncomfortable posture of Jesus’ suffering is not life-giving; it is difficult to contemplate the period of time leading up to His crucifixion. Jesus suffered in his humanity. He prayed to His Father to “take this cup from me”, “being in anguish”, with “his sweat like drops of blood”, and then expressing disappointment with His disciples when they fell asleep (Luke 22:39-46).
We lean towards the last week of Christ: Maundy Thursday, followed by Good Friday, and finally Easter – because suffering is uncomfortable!.
3 problems when you skip through Holy Week and rush to Easter.
- Ignores Christ’s Humanity
It is a serious oversight when we see a film, read a passage, or are entertained by a dramatic portrayal of the suffering Christ because nothing can capture the true indignity, pain, and turmoil Christ experienced. This is one reason Lent is so valuable. It causes us to slow things down. Read scripture. Reflect. Pray. Imagine what it was like for Him over a prolonged period of time. Not a brief, momentary exposure of another’s interpretation.
- Overfocuses on Christ’s Divinity
Culturally it is comfortable to celebrate; it is uncomfortable to suffer. It is natural to gravitate to Easter. It is easier to follow the narrative leading to the resurrection; difficult to sit in the uncomfortable space of seeing Jesus tormented, tortured,and abused. But that is precisely the part of the gospel story that needs equal attention. The more we engage with His suffering, the more human Jesus becomes.
- Undervalues the Sacrifice Christ Made on Behalf of All Creation
When we grasp that Jesus was and is fully human, then we can appreciate His divinity differently. I read this line from a book recently entitled Gentle and Lowly by Dane Orland that caused me to stop and think:
“The Son of God clothed himself with humanity and will never unclothe himself”.
Jesus did not unclothe Himself after the resurrection. Orland further says:
“One implication of this truth of Christ’s permanent humanity is that when we see the feeling and passions and affections of the incarnate Christ toward sinners and sufferers as given to us in the four Gospels, we are seeing who Jesus is for us today.”
Jesus has not put His humanity aside, nor has He put His divinity aside; He knows your suffering, intimately.
7 Reasons to Engage in the Suffering of Jesus
It will expand your ability to understand Jesus’ divinity. 
It will grow your capacity to empathize with people.
It will help you navigate the sense of feeling overwhelmed.
It will create greater openness to reach out for help.
It will allow you to see different sides of a problem you face.
It will allow you to see different sides of a problem other people face.
Lent Challenge – Week 3 of Lent!
As we journey through the weeks leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and eventual resurrection, I will draw from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The exercises have helped me and many, many others throughout church history to listen to and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit, especially when discerning direction.
I invite you to consider the “grace” (or “prayer of intent”) for this week:
“The grace you are seeking is to sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, with tears and interior suffering because of the suffering Christ endured for you.”
St. Ignatius (1491-1556)
May I suggest you read through the following passages on this schedule beginning next Monday:
- Day 1 – Matthew 27:32-44
- Day 2 – Luke 23:33-44
- Day 3 – Philippians 2:5-8
- Day 4 – Review the past three days.
- Day 5 – Luke 23:38-43
- Day 6 – John 19:25-27
- Day 7 – Review the past week.
* Journey with Jesus by Larry Warner
10 Ways to Walk Through Lent
It’s not too late to take up a spiritual practice for Lent! Winfield Bevins has several ideas for how to make room in your life to grow closer to God in his article, including:
- Reflect on the Cross
- Pray Daily
- Read the Bible
- Give Up Something
- Start a Good Habit
- Give Your Time
- Keep a Journal
- Make Time for Your Family
- Give Your Money
- Forgive Others
Read it all!
The invitation the Lord presents is to simply carve out time for Him. That is really the essence of spiritual formation- being intentional. It is up to you to take the next step.
Photo by Nigel Cohen on Unsplash
by Gary Reinecke | Mar 19, 2025 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
What’s the deal with the Ignatian Exercises?
Since the fall of 2020, I have been on a steep learning curve in spiritual formation. That is, I have intentionally engaged in the process of learning from the Desert Fathers, Mothers, and influential Jesus followers—ancient practices that have survived the crucible of time. Part of that journey has been engaging in the Ignatian Exercises with a spiritual director.
The purpose of the Ignatian Exercises is for spiritual discernment in making decisions.
Aren’t The Exercises outdated?
Though Ignatius lived over 470 years ago, his life and the spiritual insights he gained have stood the test of time. They have been critiqued, criticized, and discounted; however, they have been passed down through the generations. My experience is that this is a tool that has helped me engage in my spiritual formation, so I want to share it with you!
But I’ve heard they’re problematic…
You’re right, there are some things to consider:
- It’s a bit “old school”: Ignatius was a soldier, so his orientation to spirituality is coming from a male perspective and specifically from the view of a young man who was seriously injured in battle, convalescing, and reflecting on his life. During that time he read two influential books: Ludolph the Carthusian’s Life of Christ and Jacobus de Voragine’s The Book of the Lives of the Saints. If you would like more background on Ignatius, I recommend reading the brief biography of Journey with Jesus by Larry Warner.
- It has a Catholic vibe: Ignatius was Catholic, so there are references to saints and certain Catholic beliefs, but you can adapt it to your own faith journey. Think of it as using a framework that you personalize and adapt to evangelical theology.
- It’s structured: Some people find that too rigid, but let’s be honest, most of us could use a little more structure in our spiritual lives. It’s like having a map when you’re lost.
- It uses imagination: Yes, you’ll be asked to imagine scenes from the Bible or your own life. Some worry that this is dangerous, but when done in the context of scripture, it can be a powerful tool to connect with your faith.
Why is this helpful?
When making decisions, it is helpful to have a process that has a strong discernment component embedded in it to engage the mind and the soul. You are probably familiar with secular decision-making processes such as the decision-making tree, writing a list of pros vs. cons, or various prioritization exercises. I have discovered that when I only use my mind, I run the risk of missing out on other aspects God wants me to engage to gain the greatest benefit.
I wrote a blog entitled How to Make a Prayerful Decision that outlines the process I adapted, with the help of my spiritual director.
7 Benefits of Spiritual Discernment When Making Decisions
It helps you stay curious. Instead of thinking you know everything, you’re open to new ideas.
It helps you consider all your options. You don’t just jump at the first thing that comes to mind.
It helps you stay focused. You don’t get sidetracked by distractions.
It encourages you to ask for help. You don’t have to do it alone.
It helps you seek what’s truly best. Not just what’s easy or convenient.
It helps you stay humble. You remember that you’re not in control.
Lent Challenge – Week 3 of Lent!
As we journey through the weeks leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and eventual resurrection, I will draw from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The exercises have helped me and many, many others throughout church history to listen to and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit, especially when discerning direction.
I invite you to consider the “grace” (or “prayer of intent”) for this week:
“The grace you are seeking is to sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, with tears and interior suffering because of the suffering Christ endured for you.”
St. Ignatius (1491-1556)
May I suggest you read through the following passages on this schedule beginning next Monday:
- Day 1 – Matthew 26:57-68
- Day 2 – Matthew 26:69-75
- Day 3 – Luke 23:1-7
- Day 4 – Review the past three days.
- Day 5 – Luke 23:8-12
- Day 6 – Luke 23:13-25
- Day 7 – Review the past week.
* Journey with Jesus by Larry Warner
The invitation the Lord presents is to simply carve out time for Him. That is really the essence of spiritual formation. Being intentional. It is up to you to take the next step.
Photo by Jens Lelie on Unsplash
by Gary Reinecke | Mar 12, 2025 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
“Interestingly, by intentionally practicing spiritual disciplines, my relationship with Jesus has become more spontaneous.”
Dallas Willard
Sounds like an oxymoron!
Can you relate? The more you do a certain thing, the better you can respond in the moment. Especially through regular, disciplined practice.
For example, I ride mountain bikes. 30+ years ago when I first started riding, I learned the importance of looking forward vs. looking down, leaning into turns instead of slowing down, and the keys to good balance. Now I am much more able to remain in the moment, anticipate obstacles ahead, and leverage my momentum. The discipline of riding over 8,000 miles and climbing over 100,000 feet since 2016 (which is when I began logging miles on Strava) has contributed to my ability to become more agile, responsive, and spontaneous on the trails.
Practicing spiritual disciplines works in a similar manner. The more hours you put in, the more familiar you become to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit – until His voice becomes the dominant voice you hear, listen to, and obey. This is the goal of Christian spiritual formation.
At the bottom of this blog is a challenge for Week 2 of Lent!
Before you go there, let’s focus on three common disciplines during Lent:
- Sabbath Rest: Take time to disconnect and recharge.
- Silence: Find moments of quiet to listen to God.
- Fasting: Explore how less can lead to more.
What are the benefits?
- Sabbath Rest: You feel more alive.
- Silence: You will discover new opportunities to engage with Jesus throughout the day.
- Fasting: You will cleanse your body of impurities that clutter your heart and mind.
How does discipline lead to spontaneity?
Great question! Discipline feeds new habits. New habits feed new behaviors. New behaviors feed creative responses. Spiritual formation works the same way.
What difference does it make?
Another great question! I believe there is a correlation between spiritual formation and ministry fruit. The disciplines I have engaged with and practiced alongside my ministry development gives me the ability to discover creative solutions, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
What does that look like?
I have a project that I am working on with a team that involves a disciple-making and leader development process. We have clarified the vision of when we know we have been successful, then worked backwards, breaking down the problem into manageable pieces. Now that we have the manageable pieces, we can address each one, one-by-one, making adjustments as necessary.
Lent Challenge – Week 2 of Lent!
As we journey through the weeks leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and eventual resurrection, I will draw from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The exercises have helped me and many, many others throughout church history to listen to and discern the voice of the Holy Spirit, especially when discerning direction.
I invite you to consider the “grace” (or “prayer of intent”) for this week:
“The grace you are seeking is to sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, with tears and interior suffering because of the suffering Christ endured for you.”
St. Ignatius (1491-1556)
Perhaps you read through the following passages on this schedule beginning next Monday:
- Day 1 – Matthew 26:36-41
- Day 2 – Luke 22: 39-44
- Day 3 – Matthew 26:47-54
- Day 4 – Review the past three days.
- Day 5 – Matthew 26:55-56
- Day 6 – John 18:12-27
- Day 7 – Review the past week.
* Journey with Jesus by Larry Warner
The invitation the Lord presents to you, is unique to you. If you are reading this blog, chances are you are searching. Chances are you want a change. Chances are you are desiring a different outcome. If so, the Lord’s invitation might be for you to engage differently than you have in the past. Take courage! He desires more and more of you. He is not passively waiting; He desires to connect with you. He is urging you to take the next step.
Photo by Omar Gattis on Unsplash
by Gary Reinecke | Mar 5, 2025 | Focused Ministry, Leader Development, Personal Development, Uncategorized |
Think of Lent like a spiritual reset button; it’s a time to hit pause on the everyday busy-ness and focus on what really matters – your faith and getting closer to God.
We start Lent with a very special service: Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday, the Body of Christ gathers to enter this time of devotion corporately. During the service, we look at our mortality and the consequences of our sins. Traditionally, in the Bible, times of penitence were marked by the wearing of sackcloth and ashes. At the Ash Wednesday service, the forehead of each believer is marked with ashes in the sign of the cross, and we are reminded through these ashes that we are “but dust and to dust we shall return” (Genesis 3:19). These are the very words God spoke to Adam and Eve after they committed the first sin in the garden of Eden and they remind us that we too have “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Adapted from The Liturgical Home: Lent by Ashley Tumlin Wallace
Ever feel like life is just too busy? Lent is a chance to slow down and breathe. It’s like a training period for our souls, helping us get stronger and more connected to Jesus.
Who do you need to engage in the season of Lent?
*Use this as a “personal guide” to engage others during Lent.
Let’s get ready! Think about these questions:
- What has been your experience with Lent in the past?
- What does this season mean to you?
- How can getting closer to Jesus help you be a better disciple? …a better leader?
Lent is also about doing stuff, not just thinking. So, ask yourself:
- Is there something in your life that you want to focus on?
- What’s something you could give up to help you focus? (It doesn’t have to be food! Maybe it’s screen time or complaining.)
- What’s one thing you can do to get closer to Jesus during Lent?
Lent isn’t a race! It’s more like a long walk. I’ll be sharing some thoughts each week to help us along the way, but you can totally make this journey your own.
This Lent, open your heart and slow down! Like Elizabeth Barrett Browning famously said, “Earth’s crammed with heaven.” We have to open our eyes to see it! Make this Lent meaningful!
3 Strategies to Make Lent Significant:
- Share your Lent goals with each other!
- Check out relevant resources like devotionals, prayer guides, and fasting tips.
- Get together for prayer or reflection.
I’ll share my own journey too, so we can all learn together.
As we journey through the weeks leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and eventual resurrection. I will draw from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius (1491-1556). Don’t worry, it’s not just about what happened a long time ago. You’ll find stuff in there that helps you be a better disciple and more effective leader – and how to help others follow Jesus, build meaningful relationships, and grow their faith.
My initial impression of the Spiritual Exercises is that there are a lot of moving parts:
- There are four “weeks” (not a literal week but a period of time)
- Each “week” is broken down into sections.
- Each section is broken down into days (numbers 1-7)
The exercises were designed to be done in a retreat setting over 30 consecutive days with a listener, who would listen to the ponderings of the retreatant. As time went on, the number of retreatants outnumbered the number of available listeners, so now there exist variations. For example, one iteration is the 19th Annotation, which can be done at a more comfortable pace, on a flexible schedule to accommodate people’s lives that are not in full-time vocational ministry.
My point for mentioning this is that, at the beginning of each section, a “grace” (or in my plain interpretation – a prayer of intent) is introduced or emphasized. The “grace” is a guiding prayer that serves as a backdrop for the daily exercise. Here is the “grace” for the first week of Lent:
“The grace you are seeking is to sorrow with Christ in sorrow, anguish with Christ in anguish, with tears and interior suffering because of the suffering Christ endured for you.”
Try this during Lent!
Perhaps you read through the following passages on this schedule beginning on Ash Wednesday or the following Monday:
- Day 1 – II Cor 5:21
- Day 2 – John 13:1
- Day 3 – John 13: 2-12
- Day 4 – Review the past three days.
- Day 5 – Matthew 26:20-30
- Day 6 – Matthew 26:31-35
- Day 7 – Review the past three days.
Journey with Jesus by Larry Warner
What to do with the “grace”?
- Use the “grace” as a point of reflection.
- Engage in prayer.
- Recall it throughout your day.
One of the practices that Ignatian introduced was the Prayer of Examen. There are lots of ways to do a Prayer of Examen. I would suggest that you set aside time (morning-noon-night) and reflect on the following:
- How did you recall the grace?
- How did this play out in the way you treated people?
- How did you die to yourself today?
Or come up with an activity of your own.
You will find yourself slowing down. Discovering new insights. Creating new rhythms to your daily routine. Most of all, my prayer is that you fall more and more in love with Jesus as you journey with Him.
Photo by Kevin Turcios on Unsplash
