DAILY- HOMILY

July 31, 2017 – MONDAY, 17th Week in Ordinary Time

ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

Priest and Founder of the Society of Jesus

Solemnity, White

Dt 30: 15- 20 / 1 Cor 10: 31 - 11: 1 / Lk 9: 18- 25

     St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491 - 1556), a Basque, co-founded the Society of

Jesus (1540) and taught the Spiritual Exercises.

From the GOSPEL READING:        Lk 9: 23 - 24

     Jesus also said to all the people, "If you wish to be a follower of mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow me. For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it, and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. What does it profit you to gain the whole world while you destroy yourself?"

REFLECTION

     The life story of St. Ignatius of Loyola can be very instructive for many of us today. It is the story of a man whose raw native temperament was used by God to spread God's love and care for our world. It is the story of a man caught up with concern for his personal glory and honor who later became a man deeply on fire for the service of God and good of others. It is the story of a man who experienced apparent misfortunes which eventually were changed by God's grace into channels of Gospel successes. It is a story that shows nothing is impossible with God and that he can make good use even of the most unexpected instruments

     The temperament of the young Inigo was formed as he grew up in the chivalrous culture of the 16th century Spanish court. Stories of loyal knights and dashing charmers conquering the hearts of ladies filled his imagination. Having lost his mother in his early years, he was in constant search of the ideal lady. Deeply ingrained in his spirit was the ideal of loyalty and fidelity to his liege-lord.

     But a cannon ball at an insignificant battle in Pamplona which seemed to destroy his dreams and life plans was used by God to transform the self-centered courtier into a man dedicated to God alone and to God's mission for others.

     Against the advice of military experts to retreat before overwhelming French forces in Pamplona, Inigo refused retreat: no retreat for this 200% loyal soldier. A cannon ball smashed his leg and he had to be carried off and sent to his home for care and recuperation. He had lost his battle at Pamplona and his life had changed.

     But God's battle plan for him was slowly being formed. Bored in his sick bed, he wished to read about worldly excitement. However, the only available books for him were lives of saints and a life of Christ. A new battle began within him. There were the romantic dreams of the young Inigo. There were now new dreams from his reading: could he follow the ways of the saints and of Christ? Slowly he tired of his dreams of worldly glory and was most enthusiastic of the ways and adventures of the saints.

     The chivalrous soldier-knight finally surrendered. Christ's battle was won and a new campaign began by which with God's grace, Inigo, now re-named Ignatius after the great St. Ignatius of Antioch, would become step by step the saint and leader we honor today.

     It was a long learning process: a month of prayerful reflection in the little town of Manresa near Barcelona would lead him to abandon his military and chivalrous dreams into a loyal follower and servant of his king and leader Jesus: as a pilgrim beggar; then, with God's grace, as a man of prayer and discernment; then as a student in various centers of learning.

     With the help of God-given friends, Ignatius was then inspired to gather like-minded companions to form a new apostolic community in the Church that we know today as the Society of Jesus. Christ the King had become his new liege-Lord and Mother Mary his liege-lady.

     The story of Ignatius can teach us the value of prayerful discernment of spirits and to trust that God can use any and all of us to promote the kingdom of God in our world today.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     AIDRIENNE DY

     JOVEN C. ANDAYA Ill

     MA. NERRISA A. GABRIEL 

     MARINA TAN 

     PATRICK CICERO

     CASTILLO CABRAL

THANKSGIVING

     FEAST OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA

IN MEMORIAM (†) 

     AVELINA VS MALLONGA

     ROLANDO CASTILLO

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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