July 31 2024 - St. Ignatius of Loyola - For the greater glory of God (AMDG)

 

While convalescing from a military injury, the young soldier Ignatius of Loyola discerned that the pursuits of the flesh, fame, wealth, and power brought him emptiness and disappointment, where the pursuits of the spirit, as lived out in the lives of the saints brought him a sense of peace and joy.

Ignatius uncovered a truth that runs through Scripture and the spiritual tradition. Seeking God, seeking to please God, obeying God, conforming to God’s will brings peace, where serving idols, seeking selfish aim, obeying only bodily appetites, conforming to the world brings exhaustion, unhappiness, guilt, and restlessness.

Vanity and the pursuit of renown animated his youth, but St. Ignatius came to recognize the importance of living for the greater glory of God.

In the reading from first Corinthians, St. Paul writes, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” Those words no doubt inspired St. Ignatius’ formulation of the Jesuit motto, "Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam", which translates to "For the Greater Glory of God," 

And yet, the motto encapsulates a spiritual principle for every Christian—the need to orient our entire lives towards glorifying God in all we do. 

Even mundane tasks, when offered up to God—glorify him. This is why we do well to say a short prayer before meals, before undertaking tasks, before setting off for travel, before a difficult conversation. We pray that all that we do may be directed by God, for God, and towards God. 

Doing everything for the glory of God also means that we are to strive for excellence in our endeavors, our careers, our study, our relationships, our personal growth, our decision making—allowing our faith to guide everything we do. Excellence requires diligence, wisdom and openness to growth. 

Many of us are not in the habit of praying before our tasks. It requires us to slow down, to ensure that we are doing things for the right reasons with the proper preparation and seriousness. Excellence is rarely impulsive or hasty, it’s certainly not thoughtless and absentminded. 

In the lives of the saints we see that intentionality in their actions, they are careful to avoid offending God in their pursuit of obeying him and glorifying Him. They also cultivate a real sense of gratitude to God—for their life, for their blessings, for their salvation. They put away the foolish vain pursuits which leave us empty and sad, in order to pursue the highest good.

With the help of St. Ignatius, may we commit to the holy pursuits which will bring us joy—holy penances, holy work that will bring us the fulfillment God desires for us. 

May whatever we do today, be done with the intention of serving not ourselves, but the heavenly kingdom, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that we may always seek to glorify God in all our actions and decisions, and for world leaders, that they may put aside selfish pursuits and instead work for the good of all people, guided by wisdom and true charity. 

For the Society of Jesus and all religious orders, that they may continue to inspire and lead others to a deeper relationship with God through their dedication and service, and for those discerning their vocation or making important life decisions, that they may be open to God's guidance and choose paths that bring glory to Him.

For those battling addictions or unhealthy attachments, that they may find strength in God's grace to overcome their struggles and reorient their lives towards Him, and for those struggling with emptiness or dissatisfaction in life, that they may find true peace and joy in seeking God's will.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of human trafficking, natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for the unborn, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Priest: Heavenly Father, graciously hear the prayers we bring before you. Through the intercession of St. Ignatius of Loyola, grant us the grace to grow in wisdom and love in order to serve you more faithfully on earth and so win a greater share of glory in heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

Friday - 31st Week in OT 2017 - Prudent and Clever in our Christian Mission

In our society there are many pragmatic and clever people, and that cleverness is employed in many ways, some good, some bad. The internet, cellphones and computers help us communicate better, work faster, produce more, but they are also utilized by hackers and criminals to steal identities, cause chaos in governments, and even used by common folk to spread rumors and bully their peers. We have sophisticated weather systems to warn us of impending disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis and other natural disasters, but also instruments of war which can destroy the world. All made by very clever people.

Often cleverness, shrewdness, and skillfulness are busy working for financial and social gain, to protect ones own interests, but Jesus teaches, particularly in the Gospel today, that people of faith are especially called to use their cleverness, shrewdness, and skillfulness for others. It is not simply that we are to be other-minded, but that other-mindedness needs to be put into action.

We need to be more clever in organizing charitable activity, than head coaches of professional sports teams are in organizing victory for their franchises. We need to be more diligent in disciplining our minds and our hearts than professional athletes in training their bodies. We need to be more clever than Wall Street bankers, in storing up treasure not on earth, but in heaven.

Pope St. Leo the Great certainly put his intellectual and spiritual gifts at the service of the Gospel. He’s known as one of the best administrative Popes of the ancient Church. He labored to put down the prominent heresies of his day; he led the defense of Rome against barbarian attack, persuading Atilla the Hun to halt his path towards Rome which he was planning to plunder. His personal sanctity and pastoral care are evident from his writings and spiritually profound sermons.

He put his nearly boundless energy, compassion, and intellect in service of the Church as Pope for 21 years, one of the longest reigning Popes in Church history.

Like Pope Leo, and so many good Christians before us, let us endeavor to put an ever-greater portion of our time, talent, and treasure, our intellect and compassion, at the service of the Gospel, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Pope St. Leo and all the saints may assist the Holy Father, Pope Francis, and governing and teaching the Church to faithfully address the challenges of our times.

That our president and all civic officials will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for religious freedom and the dignity of human life.

During this National Vocations Week, we pray for an increase in vocations to priesthood and consecrated life, and that our young people may take seriously the missionary call of Christ, that they will turn away from the godlessness of our culture to spread the good news of Christ’s eternal kingdom.

For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind: that they will be fortified and blessed with the Father’s healing, light, and peace.  We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

O God, you 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.