Dear Friends of Prep:

Anthony de Mello, the late Jesuit known for his writings on spirituality, was famous for telling people to “wake up to life.” He spoke extensively on the idea of being awake – of keeping our eyes and ear open, of being present to the people in our life – in order to develop a full relationship with God and those we love.

Our theme for this school year – Build the City of God – is based on a song that similarly encourages us to live. It also starts off with perhaps the most appropriate phrase as we return from vacation: “Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!” These days, it’s easier than ever to be “asleep” – not necessarily in a literal sense (though I hope you got plenty of rest this summer), but in a figurative way. We become so engrossed in our daily routines that we fail to see what is happening around us, especially in places that are familiar or typical. If you’ve ever driven through town and thought to yourself, “I’ve never noticed that before,” then you have an idea of what could happen when we’re asleep or simply go through the motions.

Think about what being “asleep” has kept us from witnessing in our own community. Do we realize when a joke might hurt a friend? Do we think about ways to serve when we see someone needy on the street? In my own reflection, I’ve been trying to take notice of what keeps me from being fully awake – a “need” to stay connected, phone in hand, ready for a text or e-mail, for example. I may be easy to reach, but have I missed the chance to strike up a conversation or simply listen to someone looking to share a story? Probably.

It’s tough, if not impossible, to Build the City of God in our sleep – and if we’re honest with ourselves, we’re probably asleep more than we’d like to think. How do we Build the City of God? It starts off simply – building relationships with students and teachers, greeting people we might not know with a smile or head nod. When we realize that God is alive in others, we can more readily look for ways to make our school and our larger community a better place.

Pedro Arrupe, the late Jesuit superior, would frequently pray for the ability to be awakened. He would say:

Grant me, O Lord, to see everything now with new eyes,

To discern and test the spirits that help me read the signs of the times,

To relish the things that are yours and to communicate them to others.

Grant me the clarity of understanding that you gave to Ignatius.

It’s no surprise that Arrupe is sometimes referred to as the “second Ignatius.” Not only did he guide the Society of Jesus toward its modern-day mission of working to be “men for others,” but he encouraged Jesuits and laypeople alike to live and see the world in a new, challenging light.

Let’s work together this year to stay awake and to truly, as a community, Build the City of God.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam,

Mr. Ryan Heffernan

Director of Campus Ministry