There have been times in my life when I’ve been gratefully aware of the abundance of gifts God has given me. And, there have been times in my life when I have felt completely destitute in my existence. I have been both a “rich person” and a “poor widow.” Regardless of my circumstances, as a person of the Spiritual Exercises, I have considered the Contemplation on the Love of God and know that “God creates me out of love and desires nothing more than a return of love on my part.” And yet, surprisingly, and in all honesty, the question for me today is not so much about considering whether or not I am able to give to God the totality of all I have, but if I am able to return and share God’s gifts at all. Perhaps you, too, have struggled to pray, in freedom, the challenging sentiments of the Suscipe. Let us take inspiration, then, from both the rich people and the poor widow of the Gospel, and today offer to God all that we can.

—Laura Gilmartin H. facilitates Urban Plunge immersion retreats through Casa Romero: A Jesuit Renewal Center, serves on the leadership team of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Milwaukee, and  maintains a private spiritual care practice for monthly spiritual direction as well as the accompaniment of people through The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. She completed her formation to serve in this capacity through the Seminars in Ignatian Formation with the Midwest Province.

Take, God, and receive… all my life: my liberty, my freedom, even my hope of freedom; take my memory; my understanding and my lack of understanding; take my entire will, my whole heart. All that I have and call “mine.” God, you have given it all to me. I offer it all back to you: my gifts and talents; my poverty, insecurities, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities too. Everything is yours. Do with me what you will. Give me only your love and your grace. I pray and desire it to be enough for me. Amen.

—Suscipe of St. Ignatius of Loyola, adapted by Laura Gilmartin H as “The most challenging prayer”