Javier Miguel A. Galvez (Philippines)
Abstract:
How does one make the declaration, “Behold, here I am!” before God? As a self-defining statement of presence made in response to God’s call, the declaration is a self-oblation by which one announces readiness to do God’s will. What preparation is needed? In examining three examples in Genesis 22, Isaiah 6, and Psalm 40, this study finds that deep trust in God is a key component of the declaration. It is a trust formed out of a long relationship with, deep encounter of, and knowledge of God.
To understand these further, the biblical declaration is brought into dialogue with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The stated goal of the Exercises is for one to “overcome one’s self” and order one’s life without disordered attachments. These are achieved by cultivating connaturality with God and freedom of indifference—which are also found to be components of the declaration, “Behold, here I am!” A key insight taken from the Exercises is how commitment must be tested, and how it culminates in love of God.
Additionally, the language of Transformative Learning (TL) theory is brought into conversation in order to provide more insight into how the declaration is made and how it may be fostered and cultivated. TL theory comes from the field of adult education, focusing on learning as a process of paradigm shift. This study finds that the declaration, “Behold, here I am!” is an important verbalization of such a transformation—the sign of adopting a paradigm of trust in God. By paying attention to the dynamics of paradigm shift, one can design a particularly conducive environment for such TL process to take place—that can lead to making the declaration, “Behold, here I am!”, a proposal of which is found in the last chapter.
Final Defense:
Board of Examiners:
- Fr. Francis Alvarez, S.J., S.T.L., Ph.D. (Adviser)
- Fr. Herbert Schneider, S.J., S.T.D. (Second Reader/Principal Examiner)
- Markus Locker, Ph.D.
- Maria Angela Socorro Cruz, S.T.L., Ph.D.
- Grace Alcid, Ed.D.
Proposal Defense:
Board of Examiners:
1. Fr. Francis Alvarez, S.J., S.T.L., Ph.D. (Adviser)
2. Markus Locker, Ph.D.
3. Fr. Herbert Schneider, S.J., S.T.D.
Proposal Title: TOWARDS A “HERE I AM” SPIRITUALITY: A Synthesis of “Here I Am” Texts, the Spiritual Exercises, and Transformative Learning