Quality of our lives enriched by embracing what’s good

Those familiar with computer science may have heard the saying, ‘garbage in, garbage out.’

It simply means that quality of output is determined by the quality of the input.

I think that this principle also applies to life in general. What we fill our minds and hearts with will affect what we think, feel and how we act.

A good example of this fact can be found in the life of Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. He was a soldier who filled his mind with chivalry and worldly thoughts.

In 1521 he was wounded in battle and was taken to his family castle to recuperate. It was during this time that he had a conversion experience.

We read from the “Life of St. Ignatius” by Luis Gonzalez, the following: “Ignatius was passionately fond of reading worldly books of fiction and tales of knight-errantry. When his battle wound was improving, he asked for romantic books to pass the time. Since only a life of Christ and of the saints was available, he read at first reluctantly, then with attraction, and finally with sheer fascination! At times he would reflect on what he had read. ‘What if I should do what St. Francis Assisi and St. Dominic did?’ Then other more familiar romantic thoughts would flood his imagination.

“When St. Ignatius reflected on worldly thoughts, he felt intense pleasure. When he became weary of them and gave them up, he felt dry and depressed. When he thought of following the saints, he not only experienced pleasure, but even after he dismissed these worldly thoughts, he also still experienced great joy. Ignatius did not pay attention to this until one day, in a moment of insight, he began to marvel at the difference. Worldly thoughts left him sad; thoughts of following the saints left him full of joy. Later on when he began to write his ‘Spiritual Exercises,’ he used this experience to illustrate what he meant by discernment of spirits.”

Ignatius realized that when he focused on Christ and the saints he experienced more peace and joy. This awareness radically transformed his life.

Rather than return to battle, he gave his life to Christ and tried to follow him more faithfully.

What are we feeding our minds and hearts? What are we reading, watching or listening to? Are these things that disturb our peace? Do they bring only momentary pleasure? What about the things that are eternal and bring lasting peace?

I believe that it is important to ask ourselves these questions periodically. How are my actions affecting my life and my overall disposition? ‘Garbage in, garbage out.’

In St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians 4:8-9 we read, “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”

We live in a busy world that is filled with many distractions. When we are confronted with evil, human weakness and the ugliness of sin, Christians are called to embrace what is good, true and beautiful. We find this in God, who calls us daily into a deeper relationship, so that we can experience peace and joy in our lives.

From a Christian perspective we can borrow from computer science and create our own saying that is equally true — ‘Inspiration in, inspiration out.’

Let us inspire the world.