St. Ignatius describes a “presupposition” that should guide the relationship between spiritual director and directee as follows:
That both the giver and the maker of the Spiritual Exercises may be of greater help and benefit to each other, it should be presupposed that every good Christian ought to be more eager to put a good interpretation on a neighbor’s statement than to condemn it.
Further, if one cannot interpret it favorably, one should ask how the other means it. If that meaning is wrong, one should correct the person with love; and if this is not enough, one should search out every appropriate means through which, by understanding the statement in a good way, it may be saved. (SE 22, emphasis added)
While meant in a very specific context, it is difficult to imagine a relationship that this kind of rapport would not enhance.
And as far as possible without wildly being taken advantage of, adoption of this presupposition would make American political life far more productive, generous, and engaging.
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