Jewels from the Jesuits

My friend Tom is a literary genius, a former rare book librarian, an avid reader, and now a private librarian at the cutest library in Somesville, Maine.  The library is across the way from an old fashioned bridge and nestled on a pond with flocks of geese and rugged sailboats.  Our friendship continues to be a joy to me, and among the things I treasure is his ability to find and tell me about great books.  He has the ability to understand what type of book a person would enjoy, but then again, he is a librarian!

Recently he sent me a copy of James Martin, SJ book entitled The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything.  I loved it.  Not only did I gain a clearer understanding of the Jesuit way of life, but it was incredibly practical and interesting.  I want to share three nuggets I took away from this book.

1.  "Compare and despair."  Awesome quote, yes?
2.  I learned about Alphonsus Rodriguez, a Jesuit that made a sacrament of opening the door and greeting people.  Whenever he heard the door bell ring, he would run to the door saying, "I'm coming Lord!" I love this idea of greeting every single person in our life as if they are the Lord.  It's a beautiful way to live, and I was inspired by his devotion in loving this way. 
3.  A passage on Christian Failure by St. Francis Xavier.  I will close with this, and I will also thank Tom and other book lovers out there that take the time to talk about books, share books, and spark hope and joy into minds and souls with words. 

Christian Failure:

This is dreadfully difficult for a human being to accept- even for a Xavier.  Just because I am trying to do God's work with every ounce of my being is no guarantee that my plans will prosper.  There is no guarantee that an effective Christian apostle will not be cut down in his prime... There is not guarantee that because you have given yourself to a Christian marriage, your oneness will be lasting... that because you love God deeply, you will not lose your job, your home, your family, your health... There is not guarantee that because you believe, you will not doubt; because you hope, you will not despond; because you love, your love will not grow cold.  There is no guarantee that a Xavier will reach China.  In this sense there is a Christian frustration, a Christian failure...

You do your Christian task as God gives you to see it; the rest, the increase, is in His hands.  God still uses what the world calls foolish to shame the wise, still uses what the world calls weak to shame its strength, still uses what the world calls low and insignificant and unreal to nullify its realities... In this sense, there is no Christian frustration and no Christian failure.