Have you had the experience of sharing a difficult moment with a colleague who simply listened to you patiently rather than judging, fixing or dismissing you? Or, have you had someone offer you an encouraging word when your confidence was low? Or, you were having a stressful day and someone brought you a moment of peace? These acts of goodness flow from the goodness deep within us. This goodness is a dimension of faith that is part of our inner reality.
As a Catholic, Jesuit university, our faith, spirituality and inner life matters. In fact, it is a pillar of our mission. This faith is a type of disposition that is seeking the good. It fosters an interest in people and their needs. It expands our understanding of the world around us and motivates us to contribute to its care and flourishing. This faith invites us to have a growing awareness of the transcendent nature of reality and understand our role in it. And, this faith creates an openness to seeking the source from which all goodness comes, the God of our understanding and grow in the wisdom such an encounter provides.
This faith that makes possible all those acts of goodness and kindness is something that can be nurtured and cultivated. When we slow down, we can begin to truly notice in a heartfelt way all the goodness and generosity we have received. At times such an abundance of generosity can be overwhelming when we truly grasp ALL that we have received in a sincere way. This awareness affects our faith and cultivates within us a motivation to live in in a similar manner, that is generously offering goodness to others. This can be expressed through our attention to others, especially those on the periphery, our listening presence to those around us, our words of support and kindness to those that are in need, and offering a generous hand to uplift others in our community.
The Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality is a resource for cultivating this inner faith dimension of our life. Their retreats offer time to slow down and come home to ourselves. The various group gatherings provide a space to be with other colleagues and together grow in one’s spiritual journey. The one-on-one conversations creates a space for reflecting on the deeper reality of life in the presence of an attentive compassionate listener. Numerous Marquette faculty and staff have received these benefits and experienced a deeper, more vibrant generous faith at work in them.
The Center is a place of welcome for people of all faiths, seekers, and people of good will. It is a space of belonging where all that come feel seen, valued and appreciated. The many resources and programs that are offered provide the tools and guidance to understand and deepen one’s faith and spiritual life.
To learn more about the Faber Center, please visit the Faber Center website.
