Mary’s School of Sanctity                   

Lesson #23 – The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius – SECOND WEEK – THE MEDITATION ON THE TWO STANDARDS

In the last several lessons we have been using St. Ignatius’ method for a special way of meditating which is to focus on the sights, sounds, and actions of those we are considering.  This method is very profitable and helps us draw many conclusions with which to subsequently gain spiritual strength. This meditation which we now undertake will use this same method in a more in-depth manner.

This is the famous meditation on the Two Standards and it is especially beneficial for our spiritual life.  We will use our imagination to become familiar with this most momentous battle that takes place here on earth, namely, the battle between Christ and Satan.  Ever since the Fall of Adam this battle has been intense and will continue until the end of time.  If we truly want to be happy for all eternity, then it is crucial for us to study all the aspects of this battle.

Let us go forward, then, and take a detailed and careful look at the two sides engaged in this battle.  We cannot withstand our enemy if we do not know him and his tactics.  Also, we cannot be faithful Soldiers of Christ if we do not have an intimate knowledge of Him.  So let us study what we need to know to be valiant warriors in the Church Militant.

St. Ignatius first shows us the leader of each camp, then he elaborates the plan of each one, and lastly, he describes how each implements his plan. 

First, we set out what St. Ignatius gives us for this meditation, and then as usual we will give some possible considerations on those points that he lays out for us.

A Meditation on Two Standards

The preparatory prayer is the same as usual: I ask God Our Lord for the grace that all my intentions, actions, and works may be directed purely to the service and praise of the Divine Majesty.

The FIRST PRELUDE is the history of the subject matter.  Here it will be how Christ Our Lord calls and wants all men beneath His standard, and how Lucifer, on the contrary, wants all men under his.

The SECOND PRELUDE is the mental representation of the place. Here it will be to see a vast plain covering all the region about Jerusalem, where the supreme Leader of the good is Christ Our Lord; and another plain in the region of Babylon, where the evil chieftain of the enemy is Lucifer.

The THIRD PRELUDE: I will ask for the grace that I desire.  Here it will be to ask for a knowledge of the deceits of the evil chieftain and help to guard myself against them, and a knowledge of the true life which the supreme and true Leader reveals, and for the grace to imitate Him.

The FIRST POINT is to imagine how the evil chieftain of all the enemy is seated in the center of the vast plain of Babylon, on a great throne of fire and smoke—a horrible and terrible sight to behold.

The SECOND POINT is to consider how he calls together countless demons, and how he scatters them, some to one city, some to another, throughout the whole world, missing no province, no place, no state of life, nor even any single person.

The THIRD POINT is to listen to the harangue which he delivers to them, how he spurs them on to ensnare men and to bind them in chains.  He bids them first to tempt men with the lust of riches (as he is most accustomed to do), that they may thereby more easily gain the empty honor of the world, and then come to unbounded pride.  The first step in his snare is that of riches, the second honor, and the third pride.  From these three steps Satan leads on to all other vices.

In like manner, we are to imagine on the other hand, the supreme and true Leader, Who is Christ the Lord.

The FIRST POINT is to consider how Christ Our Lord takes His stand in a lowly place, in that great plain about Jerusalem, and He is beautiful and gracious to behold.

The SECOND POINT is to see how the Lord of the entire world chooses so many persons, apostles, disciples, etc., and sends them throughout the world to spread His sacred doctrine among men of every state and condition.

The THIRD POINT is to listen to the discourse which Christ Our Lord makes to all His servants and friends whom He sends on this mission, charging them that they should seek to help all men; first, by encouraging them to embrace the most perfect spiritual poverty, and if it should please His Divine Majesty, to choose them for it, also to embrace actual poverty. Secondly, by encouraging them to desire insults and contempt, for from these two things come humility.  So then there are three steps: the first, poverty opposed to riches; the second, scorn and contempt, opposed to worldly honor; the third, humility, opposed to pride.  From these three steps, let them lead men to all virtues.  

The COLLOQUY: I will now address a colloquy to Our Lady and I will ask her to obtain for me from her Son and Lord the grace that I may be received under His standard, first, in the most perfect spiritual poverty, and should it so please His Divine Majesty to choose me, also in actual poverty; secondly in bearing reproaches and offenses, thus imitate Him more perfectly, provided only I can suffer them without sin on the part of any other person or displeasure to His Divine Majesty.  Afterwards, I will say the “Hail Mary.”  I will ask the Son to obtain for me the same graces from the Father, and I will then recite the “Anima Christi.”

I will also ask the Father to grant me the same graces, and I will then say the “Our Father.”

The Two Leaders and Their Corresponding Standards

The Standard of Satan

Considerations for the FIRST POINT: we make a mental representation of the plain of Babylon with the devil on his fiery throne.

Once again, we can find help from Fr. Hurter’s setting forth the meat of the meditation.

a. Holy Writ depicts the evil spirit as the prince of darkness (Eph. 6:12; Col. 1:13) and the father of lies. (John 8:44).  As such he deceives and confuses, stirs up dust so that one cannot see, awakens doubt, leads to unbelief, and brings on fickleness of character.   Wherever we notice these traits, there is the smoke of hell and the evil spirit is at work.

b. According to Holy Writ he is a peace-disturber, who sows cockle (Matt 13:25) and the seeds of discord.   As such a turbulent being he causes unrest, excitement, tears hearts asunder, and shows a restless and violent demeanor.  Where that is to be found, there the smoke of hell is rising and the evil spirit is in the background.

c. He is the prince of hell, where despair is prevalent.  Hell is “a land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and not order, but everlasting horror dwelleth.” (Job 10:22)   As prince of hell he causes sadness, disappointment, despondency, makes the heart to ache, and then to despair.  Where this frame of mind is prevalent, there is the smoke of hell, and there breathes the evil spirit.

d. He is the rebel, who from the beginning of the world rose up against God and through whom the spirit of revolt invaded paradise and now pervades the whole world.  As such, he naturally urges men on to stubbornness and obstinacy, awakens in them pride, and drives them to insubordination and rebellion against authority.  Where such fruits ripen, the smoke of hell is noticeable; there the evil spirit has already gained a considerable influence.[1]

Yes, let us see this horrific scene.  Look at Babylon – the place where the people conceitedly thought that they could build a tower to reach heaven.  But God confounded them by having them speak in different tongues.  How fitting for the proud evil one to pick this place to have his pompous fiery throne.

See how the devil with his unbounded pride pretends to be so very powerful.  He presumes that he has more knowledge than he really has.  He makes a big “show of strength” and pretends to be in charge of the world—as if he has control of everything!  In this way he tries to entice us to discouragement and despair.

He displays smoke, which represents the darkness of hell.  This smoke causes confusion everywhere.  This smoke also causes fear—that age old satanic tactic used as an attempt to overcome souls!! 

Remember to consider how the devil uses this same smoke as a means to hide his deceptions and his sowing of half-truths.

Look at the fire, too!  That fires dazzles brilliantly and plays on the senses.  It excites the senses not only to pleasures but also to fear as well.  It causes noise and movement in order to agitate the soul and make the soul extremely restless.

Indeed, the devil’s attack is a subtle one.  He hates God with all his might and attacks maliciously, ferociously, and unceasingly.  Furthermore, we must never forget that he cannot force us to sin and cannot do anything to us unless God permits it.  Remember, too, that we have powerful weapons against Satan.  In fact, St. Vincent de Paul tells us that, “the most powerful weapon with which to overcome the devil is humility; because not knowing how to use it, he does not even know how to defend himself from it.”[2]

Now that the scene is set in our imagination, let us study the wretched plan of action the devil has.

Considerations for the SECOND POINT: the devil expounds his plans

We will allow Fr. Hurter’s words to paint the vivid scene for us:  

In the council of war, which he holds with his partisans, Lucifer unfolds the following plea:

Awaken in the hearts of men a love, an attachment, and a passion for earthly goods.  When they are once engrossed by worldly riches they will run, work and strive for them, forget heaven and things eternal, and neglect the salvation of their souls.  Having met with some success, they become conceited, look down upon others, seek for flimsy honors and esteem, and then become ambitious.  When they have compassed distinction, they are captured by pride: and no sooner has pride obtained the mastery of the heart of men then they will take no advice, submit to no authority, however sacred, and they will make light of every commandment.  Thus, the way is cleared to self-deification, and the evil spirit is implicated in our rebellion against God.  The way to it, therefore, is avarice, ambition, and pride.[3]

Considerations for the THIRD POINT: the devil puts his plans into action

We see in the following quotes how Fr. Hurter describes how the devil puts his plans into action:

1. The prince of darkness, to carry his cunningly devised plan into effect, sends his spirits into every land and into all places.  No one can escape their promptings and temptation.  They are bent on carrying out the orders given them so eagerly that St. Peter warns the faithful: “Be sober, and watch, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.” {1 Peter 5:8}

It is sad, indeed, to see that thousands and thousands of men give themselves up to the devil as his assistants and tools to found and spread his kingdom upon earth, to plant his standard everywhere, and to entice their brethren into his net.  These aiders and abettors are more dangerous than the evil spirit himself.  They make use of every imaginable weapon, science, power, astuteness, deduction, threats and enticements.  They are always on the alert and work indefatigably for the ruin of souls, sparing no effort or sacrifice.  And of the terrible results the history of the world is an evident attestation.  How successful the craftiness of the evil spirit is!  What a scramble, what a striving and chasing after things of this earth!  Avarice and greed dominate the ways and doings of men.  What plans of ambition do they not pursue in all things!  How pride, emancipation from God, and self-deification of human society has increased![4]

It is obvious that the devil doesn’t miss anyone in his plan to devour souls.  He goes after both laity and religious. 

Fr. Hurter also relates how the devil attacks priests and religious in a more subtle way than he attacks the laity.  Firstly, the devil will divert religious from striving for perfection to the seeking of something for themselves in the way of bodily comforts and attachment to creatures.  In this manner the religious will become a less useful instrument in the hands of God and will not work for the salvation of souls.  The religious is then easily led to want the esteem of others, to think highly of himself and desire promotions.  Fr. Hurter gives us more insights about the cunning traps the devil lays for those consecrated to God:

He [the devil] will induce us [priests and religious] to have a high opinion of our talents and ability, to be prepossessed in our own favor, and consequently to seek preferments and places of honor, to feel easily slighted and offended, and to become jealous of others.  If he succeeds in this, our zeal for souls shall have been spoiled and we shall belong to those of whom the Apostle says: “For all seek the things that are their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ’s.” {Phil. 2:21}  He will tempt us to take any liberties by which we withdraw ourselves from the restraint of obedience, emancipate ourselves and become willful.  And thus, pride is nourished and the striving after real virtue and the following of Christ are undermined.[5]

St. Teresa of Avila gives us a similar warning about these dangers by saying, “It seems to me that honors and riches always go together: he who loves honor never hates riches, while he who hates riches seeks no honors.”[6]  

We see plainly how we must abhor riches because they are so dangerous to our salvation.  Listen to how St. Teresa of Avila is very frank when she gives a strong warning to her spiritual daughters in religion:

If poverty is real, it guards purity and all other virtues better than do fine buildings.  Keep to this, I beg of you by the love of God and His Blood.  If, with a good conscience, I could wish that the day you build a costly dwelling it may fall and kill you all – I say, if I could do so with good conscience – I would wish it and beg God to grant it.  It looks very ill, my daughters, to build fine houses with needy men’s alms!  God forbid it!  Ours should be poor and mean in every way.  Let us to this extent at least resemble our King.  He had no home except the stable of Bethlehem where He was born, and the Cross where He died.  Within these houses few luxuries could be found![7]

Because riches lead one to seek the praise of others, riches directly lead to the deadly sin of pride.  People tend to praise the rich because, in the weakness of fallen human nature, they seek to acquire benefits from the rich.  They pretend to be ‘friends’ of the rich person.  Indeed, how often is the case that if a rich person should happen to lose his riches, he is abandoned by everyone in a heartbeat! 

Rich people are impelled to feel empowered by their wealth because so many throng after them.  They commonly lord their wealth over others and soon become despotic.  This is indeed Satan’s plan.

The wealthy are incited to do anything to keep their wealth and Satan wants this aspect, too.  So obsessed does one become with money and material goods that he completely forgets and abandons God.  Satan would have every man, woman, and child on earth entrapped in this scheme if he could.

He sends his minions to capture as many souls as possible.  The lesser devils only obey Lucifer because they are afraid of him.  They hate him and they hate souls.  We must not think that the devils are perfectly united; they argue and fight among themselves as they work hard at dragging souls in their miserable direction.

As we shudder to imagine such a horrific scene, and as we acknowledge our constant danger, let us now turn to look at Our dear Lord Who will never abandon us poor exiles of this earth.

The Standard of Christ

Considerations for the FIRST POINT: we make a mental representation of the plain about Jerusalem.

The following inspiring text from Fr. Hurter shows us indeed the stark contrast between Satan and Christ:

How different is the physiognomy of Our Divine Savior, how lovely He appears in the light of the Gospel![8]

a. He is the true Light.  “I am the light of the world.” {John 8:12} As the light, He enlightens and transfigures everything, broadens the view, clears the sky, and produces serenity.  In that soul in which the sky is serene, which looks at all things in supernatural light, which is entirely filled with the light of faith, there breaks the spirit of Jesus Christ. [9]

b. Jesus by preference calls Himself the Son of man, and as such he comes forward most unassumingly, most condescendingly, and most mildly.  He is cordiality itself.  Condescension, mildness, cordiality are manifestations of the spirit of Jesus Christ.  Where we find these, we can easily conclude that it is His spirit.

c. Christ is our Savior.  “Thou shalt call His name Jesus,” said the angel to Mary in announcing His birth.  As Savior He expands the heart, sets men free from the bonds of sin, from the chains of passion and from the snares of the world; and inspires them with courage and confidence.  When one, even after mortal sin, rises quickly, does not lose courage, and confidently betakes himself to the feet of the Savior to seek forgiveness and reconciliation, there moves the spirit of Christ; there one can exclaim with Martha: “The Master is here, He calls you.” {John 11:28}

d. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  Among the names of the future Emmanuel, the Prophet Isaias also mentions this one.  And indeed, He came to bring peace with God, with your neighbor, and with yourself.  As Prince of Peace He calms, comforts, pacifies.  If therefore, we feel within ourselves a true peace, elevated above the storms of passion, and if a friendly disposition suffuses our exterior, then we may conclude from this that the spirit of Christ dwells within us.[10]

Fr. Hurter enlightens us further on the amazing contrast between the followers of Satan and the followers of Christ:

The spirit of Jesus Christ is stamped upon the lives of the saints, whereas the spirit of the evil one marks the wicked.  The satellites of Satan are proud and full of conceit in appearance; arrogant and bold in speech; vehement and boisterous in manners; dark in expression of countenance and repulsive toward others, especially hard and heartless towards the poor.  They are real types of the hellish spirit! The saints are in appearance modest and unassuming; in their intercourse with others friendly and loving!  A heavenly peace suffuses their exterior; innocence and purity of heart beam forth from their eyes; cheerfulness transfigures their whole being.  Here it will be well for us to test our exterior and our manners, to see whether we are entirely penetrated by the spirit of Jesus Christ, or whether there is not something of the breath of the evil one upon us.[11]

Considerations for the SECOND POINT: Our Lord expounds His plan.

Fr. Hurter explains Our Lord’s beautiful plans:

What plan does our Divine Savior unfold?

He teaches His disciples and friends to warn people not to become attached to earthly things, but to be ever mindful of the fact that “we have not here a lasting city, but seek one that is to come.” {Heb. 13:14}

We are wanderers and pilgrims, and it is foolish to become altogether absorbed in earthly things which death will surely snatch away, and to forget things eternal.  They should instruct us how dangerous it is to pursue creatures that lead us away from God and our eternal destiny, and should always insist that “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” {Matt 5:3} This poverty in spirit is the first step in the following of Christ on the road to perfection.  When this is attained, it will be easier to renounce worldly honors, and to be indifferent to abuse and contempt.  When one has come thus far, the fear of God will gain the upper hand, and with it, real humility.  Where humility rules, all the other virtues thrive.  The way then to Christian perfection is poverty in spirit, contempt of the world, and humility.[12]

The quote we gave above from St. Teresa of Avila encourages us to hate honors and thereby hate riches.  She continues this theme saying:

I think that a thirst for honor always carries with it some regard for property and money; it is strange to see a poor man honored by the world, for however much he may deserve it he generally remains unnoticed. True poverty, undertaken for the sake of God, bears with it a certain dignity in that he who professes it need seek to please no one but Him, and there is no doubt that the man who asks no help has many friends, as events have taught me. [13]

 She exhorted her spiritual daughters with this sobering truth regarding the physical building(s) of their convent,

Remember, they must all fall down at the Day of Judgment, and who knows how soon that may be?  It would not look well if the house of thirteen poor women made much noise when it tumbled, for the real poor make no commotion – they must be silent or none will pity them. [14]

Considerations for the THIRD POINT: Our Lord puts His plans into action.

Once again, we find fruitful instruction regarding this point from Fr. Hurter:

2. Let us, on the other hand, cast a glance at Christ.  He sends His disciples into all the world to spread and carry out His program.  During the course of centuries, a countless number of noble souls have attached themselves to Him, and by word and example they invite us to become animated by the spirit of the Lord and follow Him.  Their virtues, their activity, their burning zeal, will edify us, and we too shall enlist under the standard of the Lord.  The zeal of His enemies will spur us on to remain true to Him and to carry out His directions courageously.

Since we have become acquainted with the spirit and strategy of the evil spirit, and on the other hand with the spirit of Our Divine Savior, His plans and views, we should, with the help of Mary, appeal to Jesus to shield us from the spirit and protect us from the snares of the evil one, to fill us with His own spirit and make us partakers of His sentiments.[15]

The Good Lord gives us the edifying examples of the saints to further hearten us.  For example, St. Teresa of Avila encouraged her spiritual daughters to embrace poverty with ripe good will, she told them:

“Life lasts but two hours: their reward is immense, but, even without that, by following the counsels of Our Lord the very imitating His Majesty in any way would be an ample recompense.[16]

We must not forget that Our Lord wants us so much!  He lived His life in poverty. Even in His Public Life, He lived in perfect poverty.  He wants us to follow His examples.  He gives us countless inspirations daily.   He wants us to have a divine friendship with Him so He may become the Spouse of our souls.

He wants us to be apostles of love who spread the knowledge of Him and His Standard.  He was thirsty for souls; He wants us to also be thirsty for souls.  He was held in contempt, “the reproach of men and the outcast of the people”, and He wants us to be willing to accept being held in scorn by others for the love of Him.  For this is the only way to learn to be meek and humble of heart as Our Lord was and is always.  Thus, He reminds us, “If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” [St. John 15:20].   Truly, one can find all three marks of His Standard, that is, poverty as opposed to riches; being ready to be scorned as opposed to honors, and humility to oppose pride.  What are these three but the imitation of Christ!   
 

Concluding thoughts:

This meditation contains the guidelines for imitating Christ.  Let us study Him and see how His Life was a supreme example of His Standard.  If we imitate Him faithfully then we will be completely on His side in the battle.  Of course, Our Lord is completely attractive and draws us to want to be under His Standard. 

COLLOQUY:[17]  [Addressing Our Lady as St. Ignatius advised us to do.] Our Lady, my Queen, I will gladly fight under Thy Son’s Standard.  Oh, but strengthen me, especially because you know, sweet Queen, the evil one has overwhelming tricks.  I need you O Mary to help me be ever watchful and on my guard against anything that would displease Thy Son!  Help me to despise riches, material goods, and worldliness.  Help me to disregard being held in esteem by others.  Let me bear the scoffs and scorn of the worldlings who think I am crazy to try to imitate Thy Son.  Do help me remember that to love and please Him is all that matters!  Increase my love of Thy Divine Son.  I will say a Hail Mary.  

[Then St. Ignatius has us address Our Lord with a similar colloquy.]  O dearest Jesus, my Lord and Redeemer, I love Thee.  I beg Thee to help me serve Thee faithfully.  Keep me safe from the evil influences of the world with all its pomps and empty honors.  Help me to embrace Thee, O Lord, and be completely satisfied with nothing else but Thee.  Help me, O Divine Master, to spread the truth and bring souls to Thee.   Close with an Anima Christi.

[Then I will address the Father with a similar colloquy.]  O tender heavenly Father, I thank Thee for preserving me and teaching me the noble standard of Thy Divine Son.  Help me by Thy grace to be loyal and loving to Thy Son.  Help me not to be afraid of persecution but to lean on Thy paternal support.  Close with an Our Father.

 With our understanding of the crucial life-long battle now improved, and armed with the tools of this meditation, we are in a better position to go on to our next lesson.  Our next lesson is St. Ignatius’ well-known meditation called the Three Classes of Men.