Rules to Follow — Part Two

By Madeline Mauro

In the second week of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s rules, he focuses on something that many Christians underestimate. Ignatius tells us that when we are Christians living in a state of grace, avoiding mortal sin, the real danger becomes drifting between good and better.

This week of rules is for someone who already knows God, is following His way, and desires to please Him. This is where you start to ask: Am I doing this for God, or is it self-preservation?

If you notice a lack of growth and the fruits of the Spirit, it’s time to reexamine. But remember — difficult consolations are still consolations. Even if they are challenging, you always feel the presence of God.

For example, micromanaging is a sign of not allowing others to grow in their gifts; it becomes a selfish response and could be a sign that the enemy is subtly involved.

Another thing to watch for is the undercurrent of church pressures that resist new insight. While we all love tradition, it should not prevent newness. We have evolved since Jesus walked the earth — we actually have indoor plumbing!

When we resist new insight out of fear, rigidity, or a lack of understanding, we can become like the Pharisees — clinging to rituals rather than living in the movement of God.

I often say: trying to capture the Holy Spirit is like trying to catch the wind. It blows where it wants to, and no one knows where it comes from or where it goes.

“Behold, I make all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

Rule 1 — Angel of God, my Guardian dear…

In Rule 1, you feel the gentle impulse of the good angel leading you to still waters and refreshing your soul. There is a peace within that comes from God.

In contrast, the enemy takes life’s circumstances and uses them to disturb you, to wear you down, and to make you want to give up.

You must remind yourself: following Jesus leads to a life of crosses. There is no other way. If there was another way, don’t you think Jesus would have taken it?

Rule 2 — Don’t worry, be happy

In Rule 2, you feel the protection of your guardian angels and that heaven is at your side. You know that God is watching over you. You open your heart to Him to release you from misconceptions and discouragement, and you feel joy within your soul.

You are truly happy to be alive, but not oblivious to the sneers of the devil.

The devil’s tactic is to study your usual patterns and struggles and use them to distress you, making you feel unworthy. He will cause you to focus on self rather than on God’s mercy.

The way to fight against the evil one is to accept graces as a gift from God with gratitude.

Rule 3 — Exposing the picture

The enemy wants you to stay alone in the darkroom, developing film in secret. But what good is a picture you cannot share with anyone?

Don’t be afraid to expose it to your spiritual director or confessor. Bringing it into the light will diffuse any subtlety the enemy is concocting — and knock him out.

Rule 4 — Lock the doors, pull up the drawbridge

This rule is about how well your boundaries are protecting your peace.

The enemy will study your weaknesses and then cause a perfect storm to brew. Don’t fall for it.

Healthy boundaries allow you to stay peaceful. They remove disorderly attachments and help you accept the situation as it unfolds.

Sometimes the lesson is about building up the stamina to finish the race.

Rule 5 — Anchor to Truth

Similar to First Week Rule 5, where you are not to make changes during desolation, in this Second Week rule, the enemy tries to use your unhealed wounds to confuse you.

The enemy wants you to stay down and not move forward.

Use this rule as a chance to reflect on your heart wounds, so you can turn to your true healer.

Rule 6 — Bark with no bite

This rule is designed to intimidate you into thinking the enemy is large and formidable. But in reality, he is small — like a Chihuahua with an aggressive bark.

While he may try to snap at our ankles, we have a much bigger foot that can kick. It’s up to us to resist with our inner power.

Rule 7 — God uses the devil to expose our vices

It can be helpful to see this rule as a form of purification of our usual ways.

The enemy tends to reveal our weaknesses — pride, fear, vanity — to spark anger or discouragement.

Be alert to this and bring it to prayer: Why do I feel upset over this? What is God trying to tell me here?

Rule 8 — Don’t look down!

This rule is important: do not look down and become despondent when the enemy seems to be winning. Instead, look up to the God of mercy.

This is where you have to do the heavy lifting of your prayer to God. Even if you struggle, God will see that your intention is to bring it into His light.

Conclusion — The Invitation of Week Two: Letting go for the better

Week Two is all about taking a leap of faith into the unknown.

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Within each of us lies a depth, width, and length that need exploration. Take this week as a new adventure and discover things about yourself you had no idea were even there.

When you face struggles from the past, see them as an invitation from God — an invitation to heal, to grow, and to step into deeper freedom.

Week Two is a week that sets you free. As you let go — surrendering the emotions, the disorder, and even the good for the better — life becomes simple.

Recently, there has been a change in my daily routine. While it looked like it might be “better,” it actually wasn’t.

As I stepped back to get a better look at it all, I realized that it no longer held the sacredness I was accustomed to. Others might see it as better for them — but for me, it felt like stepping backward.

To stay true, I had to let go and surrender.

This is what the Second Week invites us to do: to discern not just good from bad, but good from better; to listen to God’s quiet invitation to deeper freedom and simplicity.