While convalescing from a military injury, the young soldier
Ignatius of Loyola discerned that the pursuits of the flesh, fame, wealth,
power brought him emptiness and disappointment, where the pursuits of the
spirit, as lived out in the lives of the saints and the famous spiritual volume,
The imitation of Christ, brought him a sense of completeness and true
peace.
Ignatius discerned well the logic of our Lord in the Gospel
today: the Lord Jesus works to sow good seed in our hearts, which flourish to
eternal life, where the enemy, the devil, sows seeds of corruption, which
poison our souls, and lead to perdition. St. Paul echoed this sentiment in his
letter to the galatians, when he wrote: “the one who sows for his flesh will
reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows for the spirit will reap
eternal life from the spirit.”
Upon recovery, Ignatius rightly discerned to give his life
over to the greater glory of God. AMDG, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam “for the greater
glory of God”, became the motto of the Jesuit Order which he founded, which
took the traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, as well as a special
fourth vow of unconditional obedience to the Holy Father: to go wherever the
pope should send them for the salvation of souls.
How are each of us called to serve God’s glory? We do
well to follow Ignatius’ rules of discernment. We should identify the vain
pursuits which bring only temporary satisfaction, and seek rather the activity
that brings lasting peace and joy. Like the young knight Ignatius, sometimes we
discover that we’ve been deceiving ourselves about what matters most in life,
and shy away from true and humble service.
Ignatius developed what is called the daily examen, a prayer
at the end of the day, to reflect on the day’s activities, to review the events
of the day and consider, did I follow God’s initiative or my own, did I sew in
the field of the flesh, or the field of the spirit. Then, in silence and peace,
to express thankfulness for the gifts and blessings of the day, and ask repentance
for our failure to live up to our Christian identity. Then finally, to ask God
to help us resolve to grow and trust in the loving guidance of God tomorrow.
May we know
the prayerful intercession of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in our daily efforts to
work for the spread of the Gospel, for the greater glory of God and salvation
of souls.
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For deliverance from all disordered affections and
attitudes, for detachment from earthly goods in order to value the goods of
heaven, that the Holy Spirit may guide our discernment for God’s service. We
pray.
For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and
consecrated life, for the Society of Jesus, and that we may all be dedicated to
the greater glory of God.
For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of July:
That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may
find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship
with their brother priests.
For freedom from inclement weather and any violent incidents
or dangerous accidents during our upcoming parish festival, and that those who
come to our parish grounds may know the goodness of God reflected in the
charity and kindness of our parishioners.
That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring
healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and
parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests, religious,
especially for all deceased Jesuits who have served our local Church, and for
those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject
to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the
prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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