Shared from This Ignatian Life.
There are the seven so-called wonders of the world. People make pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Lourdes. I’ve been to mountain tops in Croatia and sat on the beach that is the first on all the Earth to see a sun rise on a new day. And this morning, I sit on the floor in the corner of my basement, leaning against pillows along the wall, and feel I am in the most sacred space I can be: My prayer room.
One of the gifts of Ignatian Spirituality is to recognize God’s presence in all places—like the Alchemist, I may pilgrimage around the world, only to learn the treasure I seek is beneath my own floor. So here I sit, to seek the presence of God, in, of all places, my basement. And I find God very much here.
My prayer room is nothing fancy. Sparse furniture. No windows. I painted the walls using plastic bags instead of paint brushes. The carpet is a remnant from a friend’s basement. The 8 x10 space functions as an office and guest room as well. Buddhist prayer flags hang from the ceiling, reminding me of the goodness of others so far away with whom I am connected. Candles sit on an old dresser. Blank paper is posted to the wall to be covered with the inspirations that come to me in prayer. Nothing special. And yet, somehow when I enter with the intention to pray, my soul seems to breathe a sigh of relief.
We maintain a hectic pace in this life, even a life supposedly devoted to working for the Greater Glory of God. But to do that authentically Ignatius implored his companions to make not just time, but space for intimacy as well. Trying to make the time can often lead to anxiety—prayer being one more to do on the list—so many other things to think about. But when, after all the planning, we finally get to the sacred space, that anxiety melts away. Gone is the thought that I “should” or “shouldn’t” do this, replaced by nothing but peace and gratitude for this time and space and the relationship that is experienced within its confines.
At a time when church leadership was hailing for people to come to the Temple to been seen, judged worthy of entering, and offer their sacrifice openly, Jesus implored his followers, to go to their rooms, close the door, and pray in secret. For what is done in secret is done from the heart, the true heart. Living from that true heart is what makes this space so sacred. Here there is no judgment from the eyes of others. Here there is no fear, no worry, no anxiety, save those I bring here to be relieved of. Here all are worthy. Here the ineffable can be touched, even for just a moment, and that touch can be carried in my heart for days and weeks to come.
While I still long to make pilgrimages to those sacred places on Earth, I know for now I must be fully present here to the life I have been given, to the work I am called to do. But I have my sacred space in which to find safety and strength, inspiration and grace, and the Presence of God right in my own basement.
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Lisa Kelly is officially the Secretary of the Word Made Flesh Board of Directors. Unofficially she is attempting to spend her days on this Earth in service to the One that is greater than us all and within us all by raising three children and a husband in Omaha, Nebraska. She works during the day as the Administrator for the Ignatian Associates and by night as a Fleshie wanna be. She sends out the Spirit of Love within to all Fleshies and those they serve in the vulnerable places of this world. Thank you for being there.