Reflections on Magis.docVIP

“SEARCHING FOR THE MAGIS” Some reflections on the “Magis” and its meaning for us: In his glossary, Do You Speak Ignatian, George Traub, S.J. says about “Magis”—The “Continuous Quality Improvement” term traditionally used by Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits, suggesting the spirit of generous excellence in which ministry should be carried on. Like all definitions of complex ideas, this one has some limitations, esp. the management buzzword quality of “CQI.” Some other “limiting” understandings include its literal translation as “more,” which can be heard by people as adding more, more, more on top of an already packed work load, or as a need for ever increasing productivity, as in doing more with less, again an attempt to graft elements of Ignatian Spirituality onto management-speak. The term “magis” also doesn’t neatly fit into a marketing campaign tag line or a text message acronym consider students use of MFO or MWFO . Some considerations from Ignatian Spirituality: Perhaps “Magis” is more appropriately translated as “better,” in order to get at the sense that a choice or new direction may be a better or best choice among other good options. Or perhaps “deepening” of awareness or understanding about the work we do might be more accurate than merely “more, more, more.” “Magis” flows from a careful understanding of discernment, which does not lead merely to a destination or decision, but which connotes a continuous process of action, reflection, and re-engagement. In other words, we are invited by God at many different times in our lives, and in more than one way at any one time, to consider the best way to contribute to the greater good--as people who work, who care for our families, and who engage in the community. In the Spiritual Exercises, one becomes conscious of one’s gifts and limitations, not to be held back or propelled by them or to be “unfree” —but rather to respond generously out of a spirit of gratitude/awareness of God’s gifts and generos