Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, P. (31st July,
2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary
Time (I))
Ex 32:15-24.30-34;
Ps 105:19-23. (R. v.1);Matt 13:31-35.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491- July 31, 1556) fought
several battles as a soldier. In 1521, he was struck by a cannonball in the
legs. He underwent several surgeries without anaesthetics. At a point, he was
asked to prepare for death. However, on June 29, 1521, the feast of Saints
Peter and Paul, he began to improve. Ignatius started to read the lives of the
saints and Christ. Among his profound realizations was that some thoughts
brought him happiness and others sorrow and that two powerful forces were
acting upon him. Evil brought him unpleasant thoughts while God brought him
happiness. He discerned God's call, and began a new way of life, following God
instead of men. On March 25, 1522, he entered the Benedictine monastery. His
time in prayer and contemplation helped him to understand himself better. He
also gained a better understanding of God and God's plan for him. He became
friends with Peter Faber and Francis Xavier while at school in Paris and led
them in his spiritual exercises. Other men soon joined their exercises and became
followers of Ignatius. Pope Paul III received the group and approved them as an
official religious order in 1540. Ignatius was elected as their first leader.
They called themselves the Society of Jesus. Some dubbed them “Jesuits” in an
attempt to disparage them. By virtue of their good work the label lost its
negative connotation. The order was responsible for much of the work of
stopping the spread of the Protestant Reformation. They advocated the use of
reason to persuade others and combat heresy. Ignatius was beatified by Pope
Paul V on July 27, 1609 and canonized on March 12, 1622. He is the patron saint
of the Society of Jesus, soldiers, educators and education.[1]
Topic: Unless you put them forth.
In today’s gospel, Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a
mustard seed and yeast. Our homily will focus on the parable of the mustard
seed. This seed is the smallest of all the seeds but when planted, it becomes
the greatest of all shrubs and become a tree, so that the birds of the air make
nests in its branches, cf. Matt 13:32.
If
a mustard seed is not sown, it remains the smallest of all the seeds. Imagine someone
who has just a mustard seed. Often, we lose confidence in ourselves. Some do
find it very difficult to believe that they are good for anything. Many things remain
in the world of ideas (in the mind) as a result of this. Whatever gift one has
can be greater than the biblical mustard seed if it is put into use.
We
are all instruments in the hands of God. Every instrument (human being) is
meant for something big although, we may not see the magnitude of some of the
instruments. What each of us can become is only known to God, cf. Matt 24:36; Mk 13:32. Although Ignatius
of Loyola considered himself as an unworthy instrument yet God made out of him
something really great.
Bible Readings: 1Cor 6:12-20.
Thought for today: We are instruments in the hands of God, cf. Acts 9:15.
Let us pray: Lord and Master, give us the grace that will
enable us to put every gift we have received from you into proper use – Amen.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola – Pray for
us.
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