Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (31st July, 2018) on the Gospel and the
Memorial
Jer 14:17-22;
Ps 78:8-9.11.13. (R. v.9);
Matt 13:36-43.
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: ...the furnace of fire.
Jesus’ disciples approached Him in today’s gospel with a request
to explain to them the parable of the weeds of the field which we read last
Saturday. He said to them,
The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field
is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are
the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the
harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
All causes of sin and all evil doers will be gathered and
thrown into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. On the other hand, the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom
of their Father, cf. Dan 12:3.
Often, when we meet this furnace of fire where all the causes
of sin and all evil doers will be thrown into, we pass it unnoticed. It is
impossible to explain this in mortal language because every fire we experience
results from the goodness of God, cf. Gen
1:31. And whenever it goes wrong, the fire service can assist. Yet no right-thinking
human dares to play with even as little as the light of a candle.
The furnace of fire was ignited by God’s anger for torment,
cf. Rev 14:10. And no fire service
can assist because it can never be quenched, cf. Mk 9:48. Prophet Nahum questions, “Who can stand before his
indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like
fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him” (Nah 1:6). And our Lord warns,
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw
it away.... if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away;
it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go
into hell (Matt 5:29-30).
The furnace in question is not bearable. Let us therefore
follow the example of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and prove ourselves as the children
of the kingdom. Whoever fails to do so will have him/herself to blame.
Bible Reading: Mk 9:42-48.
Thought for today: All causes of sin and evil doers are destined for the
fires of hell.
Let us pray: Lord, through the intercession of Saint
Ignatius of Loyola, help us to avoid the furnace of fire – Amen.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola – Pray for
us – Pray for us.
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