The Challenge

by Mark Link

Daily meditations based on The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Spring Arbor/Ingram Mark Link, S.J. 391 pages, paperback 978-0883474716

Genres: Spirituality, Religion

Paperback

First published December 12, 1987

Reviews

[Sarah Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[7jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modeled on “The Spiritual Exercises” of St. Ignatius, this is a 36-week, 4-part program for those who can’t do the retreats because of work or school or for any other reason. A page for every day, and at the end of the week some questions for weekly meeting.

I found this form very easy to understand and it certainly looks like one could develop oneself very well using it, even if one does it alone, in my opinion. There are some suggested starting dates so it will fit into a schoolyear. Behind the book covers themselves are the daily/weekly reading formats so one doesn’t have to search for them before reading.

I gave this book three stars for one jarring reason (spoiler for sexual abuse talk): At the start of week 23 there is a story of Joe Paterno turning down a coaching offer to stay at Penn State. A good example, but after the Penn State Child Sex Scandal (2011), in which it came to light that he had kept silent about the abuse (and other things that can be found at Wiki) – he was forced to resign and died two months later of cancer. This book was released in 1993, so things future couldn’t be known, but knowing today raises some inner sigh at how things change. :-/
But if one can somehow pass that, the book itself is quite good and deep, and I do want to use it at some point for spiritual development. *nods*

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for spiritual growth.

[Jungsook Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenge is a Daily Mediation Program based on The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius.
Challenge is for people who cannot do full time retreat for many days. It is programmed to be made for 36 weeks.

Challenge is divided into four parts: Challenge, Decision, Journey, and Victory
The daily reflection exercise format has the same four elements.

- a Scripture passage,
- a story from life,
- an application to life,
-a concluding thought

You have to

1. Read the reflection prayerfully. (about one minute)
2. Think about what struck you most as you read the reflection. Why this (About four minutes)
3. Speak to God about your thoughts. (about one minute)
4. Listen to God's response. Simply rest in God's presence with an open mind and an open heart.
(about four minutes)
5. End each reflection by praying the Lord's Prayer slowly and reverently.

I translated 'Challenge' for our Korean local CLC(Christian Life Community) and we used that Korean version while exercising and sharing each reflection. We are composed of seven members and it took two years to complete Challenge instead of 36 weeks since we have a prayer meeting twice a month.

Challenge asks for a big challenge in us. Some of our local group members reported they changed while praying and exercising with this book. Challenge made some of us experience Jesus Christ's passion and love more deeply or challenge to live for God and for others.

If anyone is interested in a spiritual life, I would like to recommend to exercise with this book.


ps: Today is St. Catherine of Siena's feast. I was named after St. Catherine when I was baptized in
the 5th grade. I am glad I finished translating Challenge recently and introduced it on St.
Catherine's feast.