By Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
ISP Co-founder & Chaplain

For almost three decades, ISP has been a source of hope for those struggling with homelessness and addiction.

 Thousands of women and men have experienced a shift from hopelessness to hopefulness during their association with the Ignatian Spirituality Project.

Early on, ISP turned Hope into an acronym: H.O.P.E. — Hearing Other People’s Experience. This H.O.P.E. expresses a core dimension of our weekend retreats, our follow-up groups, and our gatherings in shelters. Hope is fostered by a kind of hearing that takes listening to heart—listening from an open heart.

The world and the United States have become places of polarization. Too often, we call those with whom we disagree “enemies,” despising and disparaging them rather than exalting their human dignity.

The fruit of such listening is peace within and peace between people.

What has changed in these last decades is the culture in which ISP functions. The world and the United States have become places of polarization. Too often, we call those with whom we disagree “enemies,” despising and disparaging them rather than exalting their human dignity.

The Jesuit poet and scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, advised his cousin Marguerite: “Trust in the slow work of God. We are anxious to reach the end without delay. But it may take a very long time.”

It may indeed take a very long time for those on the right and those on the left to recognize that when they see the face of their enemy, they actually see their brother or sister.

We are invited to be with every person this Christmas and ask God to show us the way to be present. Let’s practice H.O.P.E. by listening to others, trusting that God is with them, patiently working within each one.

ISP is a community where we practice this slow work. We listen to one another’s experience without judgment. We bring an open heart and open mind to every relationship; we treat every person with respect. We may disagree with what they do, but we respect who they are.

In this way, ISP offers a model for the world and our nation. We offer hope and the practice of H.O.P.E.—Hearing Other People’s Experience.

We are invited to be with every person this Christmas and ask God to show us the way to be present. Let’s practice H.O.P.E. by listening to others, trusting that God is with them, patiently working within each one.