The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life

by James Martin

Competing desires do not negate the choice that you have made: they simply make it more real.

Having someone listen even to our most mortifying mistakes reminds us that we are loved in the midst of our struggles, which is always a welcome gift.

“Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared to love in dreams,” wrote Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Living peacefully with others and maintaining healthy friendships requires a great deal of love, patience, and wisdom.

We expect others to judge us according to our intentions, but we judge others according to their actions.

take care never to shut your heart against anyone.”

friends need not be cut from the same cloth.

Often I’ve had to remind myself that my friends do not exist simply to support, comfort, or nourish me.

Alphonsus gave Peter not only the gift of friendship but freedom, just as Ignatius, Peter, and Francis gave to one another.