Pedro Arrupe SJ, superior general of the Jesuits from 1965-1983, died on this day in 1991.
He guided the Society through the tumultuous post-Vatican II years. He called for a renewed commitment to the Society’s roots in the Spiritual Exercises and he oriented the Jesuits toward service to the poor and to refugees.
He had a charismatic personality and was beloved by many in the Society and outside it.
He articulated the goal of Jesuit education as training “men and women for others”:
“………men and women who will live not for themselves but for God and His Christ—for the God-human who lived and died for all the world; men and women who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbours; men and women completely convinced that love of God which does not issue in justice for others is a farce.” (Pedro Arrupe: Essential Writings, Kevin Burke, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books 2004, p. 173)
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour………Romans 12:9-10
Are you complacent, too accepting of things as they are? Talk to God about this.
AnaStpaul 