Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
Intense encounters with others can leave deep impressions on our minds, hearts, and souls. What is amazing is how these encounters can literally change how we think and feel. One recent meeting with a friend left me with a profound sense of sorrow, and compassion for this person. This person’s sharing raised in me an awareness of how the Spirit was moving and transforming this individual. This connected to a similar transformation going on within myself.
St. Ignatius of Loyola’s transformation to Christian discipleship came slowly while healing from a severe wound he received in war. This process of turning to Christ was arduous. During this difficult year of prayer and fasting, in which Ignatius’ conversion occurred, he wrote the basis for his most famous work, the “Spiritual Exercises.” Ignatius’ spirituality is summed up in the motto of the Jesuits that is translated, “for the greater glory of God.”
As Moses came down from Sinai the radiance of his face reflected that the glory of God was upon him. This radiance caused the children of Israel to be afraid of going near Moses. The high priests and the people made the connection that this radiance occurred whenever Moses conversed with the Lord. It was after these conversations that Moses shared with the people all that God had commanded. These commandments were given to help the people glorify the Lord with their lives.
Glorifying the Lord with one’s life is the message of today’s Gospel, as Jesus shares the parable about giving your all in pursuit of the Kingdom of heaven. The parable praises those who seek buried treasure and the pearl of great price with everything they have. Jesus offers both of these metaphors as a model for fully engaged discipleship. Consider today how you give yourself more fully to the pursuit of the Kingdom of heaven.
Good and loving God, help us this day to have a deep awareness of Your Kingdom of heaven all around us. Like Ignatius use even our trials to encourage us to recognize all of the ways You are calling us to glorify You, who was, who is, and who is to come. Amen!