What's the Point

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace:  To search deep in our hearts and see more clearly what the purpose and foundation of our lives are, motivating us in all we do.

Use the grace or the suggested scripture above to create your own prayer or use the one below: After reading the scripture, say:

Loving God, we are going to continue exploring the questions of vocation tonight.  Help us to get in touch with our deepest desires and dare to ask you as the lawyer did, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Help us to be attentive to you and one another.  Be here with us and guide our conversation.  Amen.

Note:  Ask for a volunteer to lead opening and closing prayers for the next meeting.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

• • What have been the motivating forces in your life this week (stress, love, fear, pressure, relationships, approval, etc.)?

III.  Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed:  CLC supply box (CLC journal booklets, papers, pens, etc.). First Principle and Foundation (found in journal booklet)

Introduction

What is the purpose and meaning of my life?  The question is notorious in our culture as being synonymous with something that is impossible to really figure out, a lofty, philosophical conundrum that can never be fully understood or articulated. Yet, St. Ignatius attempted it!  His “First Principle and Foundation” is the first thing he invites people to consider in the Spiritual Exercises.

It makes sense to start with the basics, to use this foundation to build upon. As our CLC group now moves forward together after our first phase of recognizing our belovedness, it is helpful to spend some time reflecting on what we really think is our purpose, our most basic objective.  What do we live our lives for?

Exercise 1:  Ignatius’ First Principle and Foundation 

Read together this contemporary interpretation of the First Principle and Foundation. (As translated and interpreted by David Fleming, S.J.)

Discussion

Engage a brief discussion on what people notice about it.

• • Does it ring true for you?

  • Does it seem challenging?

  • Does it inspire you?

  • Does it feel inaccessible?

  • Invite people to share their thoughts, and read it again if need be.

Exercise 2:  My First Principle and Foundation

Invite everyone to spend 15 minutes writing her or his own First Principle and Foundation, considering what they believe to be the most meaningful motivating force(s) in their lives (or what they want to be the most motivating factors in their lives). You may want to play some quiet music in the background as people think and write. Some questions that might help prompt this activity include:

• • What is my purpose in life?  Why am I here?  

  • What is the most foundational part of my life?

  • Where does God fit in my foundation?

Sharing 

• • Share some or all of your First Principle and Foundation with the rest of the group. Explain why you chose the words you did and how you came to include the ideas that you did.

  • How does your First Principle and Foundation fit with your spiritual autobiography?

  • In what ways are you already living in line with your First Principle and Foundation? What things in your life make it hard to live according to your First Principle.

Listening Deeper

Suggested questions to deepen awareness of inner movements and further conversation

• • What has struck you as you have been listening to others share?  Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?

  • How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comfortable? Anxious? Curious?

  • Is there anything you would like to share after listening to another person share?

IV.  Moving Forward (5 min.)

• Wrap-Up:  Thank members for their openness and participation.

• Action:  Read the First Principle and Foundation (either yours or St. Ignatius’) at the start of each day this week. If you want to revise it during this week, feel free to do so.  Consider the following ways to make it a concrete part of your life:

  • Write it out in your own handwriting.

  • Decorate it and hang it on your bathroom mirror to read while you brush your teeth.

  • Put it on your computer screen so it is the first thing you see when you open your laptop.

  • Set it as a reminder that pops up on your cell phone.

  • Record yourself speaking it and listen to it on your way to class or work every morning.

• Announcements:  Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events

V.  Closing Prayer (5 min.)

Invite each person to turn their First Principle and Foundation into a prayer, asking God for the things that feel most challenging to them in living it out.

Or, ask people to bless one another (clockwise), with Person A asking that God give Person B the strength, clarity, and faith to do what Person B sees as the fundamental principle of his or her life.