📅 04 November 2026  |  👤  Fr. Jackson D'Souza SJ

Every human life is shaped by the values we learn and embrace. These values shape the choices we make and the ideals we pursue. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we all live under a particular banner. In his profound meditation on The Two Standards in the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola presents two opposing leaders: Jesus Christ and Lucifer. Each represents a different vision of life, a different set of values, and a different path. The two standards are not merely historical or symbolic images of good and evil. They represent the conflicting forces that operate within our hearts. These forces influence our personal desires, intentions, and choices, and consequently extend into our social, political, and economic life. One path leads towards God through humility, simplicity, and selfless love; the other draws us towards pride, greed, selfish ambition, and the pursuit of worldly recognition. The strategy of the evil one, as Ignatius describes it, begins with the desire for riches, progresses to a craving for honour and prestige, and ultimately leads to pride. These attitudes gradually distance us from God and from one another. 

In contemporary society, this strategy is particularly visible. Success is often measured by wealth, social status, professional achievement, and public recognition. Our systems encourage comparison, and consumerism persuades us that happiness depends on possessing more. The danger is not simply in possessing wealth, holding positions of authority, or receiving recognition. The deeper question concerns our desires, intentions, and priorities. Do these things serve the common good, or do they become an inordinate attachment? When ambition overrides integrity, when power silences the vulnerable, and when personal advantage becomes more important than justice, we begin to follow a banner contrary to the spirit of Jesus Christ.

In contrast, Christ invites us to embrace poverty of spirit, humility, and dependence on God. Such poverty does not necessarily mean the absence of material possessions; rather, it means freedom from their domination. It is the willingness to recognize that everything we possess is entrusted to us and must be used responsibly. As Jesus teaches, we are to, "strive first for the Kingdom of God and his righteousness," (Matthew 6:33). Christ's standard is revealed in his own life. He chose service over domination, compassion over indifference, and obedience to the Father over worldly glory. He identified himself with the poor, welcomed the excluded, washed his disciples' feet, and ultimately embraced the cross. His greatness was expressed not through the exercise of power over others, but through the gift of himself for others. Our daily life provides constant opportunities to choose between the two standards. For example, a parish ministry can become a competition for visibility, control, or praise, where people guard positions and resent newcomers. Alternatively, it can become a place where responsibilities are shared, the lonely are welcomed, the poor are served, and quiet acts of faithfulness are valued. A member may seek applause and influence, or may listen humbly, acknowledge limitations, and direct attention to Christ rather than to personal achievement. Even deciding whom to greet after Mass, whether to include a difficult person in an event, or whether to give time to a struggling person or family can reveal which banner is shaping us.

Living under Christ's banner today means making choices that reflect these values. It means practising honesty when dishonesty seems advantageous, choosing simplicity in a culture of excess, standing with the marginalized when silence is easier, and using our talents and resources for the benefit of others. It also means examining our motives regularly and allowing humility to challenge our pride. Ignatius reminds us that spiritual freedom requires detachment from anything that prevents us from choosing what leads us closer to God. We may recognize the right path yet postpone taking it or compromise when it demands sacrifice. Genuine discipleship requires more than good intentions; it calls for wholehearted openness to God's will.

Ultimately, The Two Standards is an invitation to daily discernment. In a world that celebrates power, prestige, wealth, and self-interest, Jesus continues to offer another way: the way of humility, service, justice, and love.

This question remains challenging at a communitarian level, but also at a very personal level: Whose banner am I living under? May our lives bear witness to Christ, not simply in what we profess, but in what we desire, what we intend, what we choose, whom we serve, and how we treat others.