St Ignatius of Loyola: A Teacher of Mysticism of Everyday Life

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 31, 2022 - Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest and Founder of the Society of Jesus

Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21–23; Psalm 90:3–4, 5–6, 12–13, 14, 17; Colossians 3:1–5, 9–11; Luke 12:13–21

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
To listen to the audio-video reflections on YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/62TEyff5DN8

July 31, 2022, in the Jesuit world marks the Feast of St. Ignatius, the founder of the Society of Jesus. In fact, today is the final day of the Ignatian Year, remembering the 500th Anniversary of Ignatius' being struck by a cannonball, and beginning his conversion. A brief bio of St. Ignatius can be found here.

***

Jesuits, their collaborators and friends all over the world celebrate on this 18th Sunday of the Year the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus also known as Jesuits. One of the beautiful gifts of the Reformation period to the Church is the person of Ignatius of Loyola. In his own way, Ignatius of Loyola along with the newly formed Society of Jesus contributed immensely not only chiefly towards the propagation of the Christian faith in different nations and continents of the world but also assisted in cleansing the scandal-ridden Church at the Center. 

1. Mysticism of everyday life

Fr Hugo Rahner, SJ, the brother of Jesuit Fr Karl Rahner wrote a book "Ignatius the Theologian" detailing Ignatius' simple yet profound ways of perceiving God in prayer and everyday activities of life. In this book, we see a penetrating analysis which demonstrates the centrality of Christology in Ignatius. It is a theology born out of his direct mystical experience of God. Ignatius had not only a Master's degree in philosophy and theology from Sorbonne University in Paris in 1535, but he also articulated what he had experienced during his 11-month-long intense prayer sessions in the cave of Manresa in 1522. Combined with his intellectual studies, Ignatius’s personal experiences of finding God in everyday life activities from drinking a glass of water to preaching in the streets and squares of cities, he experienced profoundly God's presence and his guiding hand in his life. 

Lord, Teach us to Pray!

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 24, 2022

Readings: Genesis 18:20–32; Psalm 138:1–3, 6–8; Colossians 2:12–14; Luke 11:1–13

Jesus is teaching the prayer "Our Father"

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/4rdyTSulA78

Often, we are at the crossroads of our lives. The paths in front of us happen to be narrow and unclear. In such moments of our lives,  what keeps us going is the tremendous trust in the Lord. When you have deep faith in the Lord, you may ask from the Lord whatever you are seeking with your hearts and hands open. Anything that is prayed with tremendous trust and confidence, God grants what we need in spite of our unworthiness. The liturgical readings of this Sunday overwhelmingly support this idea. 

1. Prayer of Jesus, prayer to God

The beautiful prayer that Jesus taught to his disciples "Our Father..." is the most widely used prayer by every Christian. Every day, we recite this prayer. It is so close to us as breath to our lungs. The prayer of Jesus puts us in peace and tranquillity, confidence and trust, love and compassion. Without the prayer of Jesus, we are nothing as Christians. It is a prayer that completes all our wants and needs, desires and longings. God draws us close through our desires. A short prayer but rich in meaning and deep in its content. With the prayer of Jesus, we go to our Triune God with our needs and aspirations. The mystery of prayer is living a loving relationship as beloved sons and daughters with their heavenly Father. Our prayer is a pure gift, made possible by the Father in heaven through the Holy Spirit of His Son.

In God, All Things Hold Together

 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: July 10, 2022

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:10–14; Psalm 69:14, 17, 30–31, 33–34, 36–37; Colossians 1:15–20; Luke 10:25–37

The Good Samaritan
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/hqQmgHMCmJo

There are a few moments or incidents that occur in our lives and make a difference in the lives of others. Such incidents may seem to be ordinary yet they can change the lives of others because someone was able to enter into their lives at the right time. The liturgical readings of this Sunday could be read from this perspective.

1. Reaching out to others at the right time

The story of the Good Samaritan that we read today (Luke 10:25–37) from the Gospel of St Luke is really captivating. Everyone likes to have people around them when they are on their feet, healthy and doing well. The poor Jew who was stripped, beaten and half-dead on the roadside by the robbers was seen by the priest and the Levite. Yet they did not react. The wounded man was noticed only by a Samaritan. Even though the Samaritan came from another rival community, he not only had a soft corner for him but even went to the extent of taking care of him by giving him first aid and later putting on his carrier animal and treating him at the hospital at his own expense. What a generous, gentle, compassionate and caring that Samaritan might have been?

Rejoice Because Your Names are Written in Heaven

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - July 03, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

(Jesus sends his disciples on a mission of preaching and healing)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/Pp6TPD0d058

We are on the threshold of the new academic year. A good number of our schools and colleges have already started their classes whereas others are still waiting for the results and the colleges are yet to open. For many, it's a time of new beginning while for others it's a time of waiting with anxiety and fear. Liturgically, we are in the ordinary time of the year where the readings from the Bible strengthen our faith journey with beautiful and apt readings. Many a time we may think that all the good things that happen in our lives are because of our striving and ability to perform. Probably it might be so. Yet, we must recognize this first that there is over pervading power of our Creator who gives us energy and strength to make every day a success story. 

1. Nothing will harm you

The gospel reading of today from St Luke (10:1-12, 17-20) illustrates a beautiful episode from the lives of 72 disciples that Jesus had chosen to carry forward his mission. They are sent on a mission of preaching and healing all those people whom they encounter on their way. The disciples are given special instructions on how to work out their missionary requisite and itinerary. Surprisingly they perform overwhelmingly and the disciples cannot believe in themselves that they could do so much because of the name of Jesus: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name" (Luke 10:17). The fruit of their labour is tremendous and so joyful that they are ready for anything.

God - My Inheritance Forever

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C - June 26, 2022

Readings: 1 Kings 19:16–21; Psalm 16:1–2, 5, 7–11; Galatians 5:1, 13–18; Luke 9:51–62

(Jesus with his disciples passing through Samaria)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/2hsAbLsUXQs

Often we want to do magnificent and incredible things, but there is something else which does not allow us to do. The pulls are everywhere. We live with these kinds of struggles. Sometimes these chronic struggles may tire us and make us disinterested to do even those things which we are called to do because of our job or the role that we have taken up. The liturgical readings of this Sunday enlighten us over this aspect of "to do and not to do," "to be and not to be." In fact, having celebrated two important feasts in this week, the Nativity of St John the Baptist and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, perhaps the righteousness and courage of Saint John the Baptist and the unending and enduring love of our Lord Jesus should encourage us in our path of Christian life of holiness.

1. Chosen from the Ordinary

We have an awesome vocation story of Prophet Elisha who was chosen by God to succeed Prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:16–21). It all happens in the field while ploughing it.  The young Elisha was chosen while he was doing ordinary work on agricultural land. God recognizes his ability because he was following other ploughers. Perhaps Elisha had the genius of following the path trodden by others in an orderly and disciplined manner. In fact, that is what desired of the ploughers. Prophet Elijah recognizes in Elisha his successor, who would instruct his people to follow in the righteous of God. As a symbol of anointing, Prophet Elijah threw his cloak over young Elisha while ploughing. In fact, there was no time for waiting, discussion, consultation, seeking time and coming to an agreement. When God wants someone for his work, He does not wait. For there is no room for waiting. He chooses things to happen as he wishes and of course quickly and rightly. 

Corpus Christi - Enlarging our Hearts unto Him

 The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ: June 19, 2022

Readings: Genesis 14:18–20; Psalm 110:1–4; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Luke 9:11–17

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/HC1KOcZ5a5E

The month of June is blessed with a number of feasts either connected to the person of Jesus or to saints who followed him. Today we commemorate the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally called in its Latin version Corpus Christi. Having celebrated the feast of the Holy Trinity just a week ago, we are at the right time to celebrate this great feast which elevates us to the heavenly reality of our Lord. Every Eucharist is the feast of the body and blood of Christ. It is the gift of our Lord to nourish us, strengthen us and guide our Christian living.  However, by giving special emphasis to this feast we are once again invited to reflect and meditate on what Jesus' sacrifice means to us. The Corpus Christi feast is the sum of what we confess and celebrate at every paschal meal of our Lord. 

1. Whatever we have, it is of God

Food is one of the physiological needs. With Jesus' celebration of the paschal meal on the Holy Thursday, he gave us a heavenly meal which would satisfy our spiritual hunger.  He blesses, breaks and gives away (Lk 9:16). There is no other so precious a gift Jesus could give to us than his own body and blood. This heavenly reality is made to manifest in its earthly existence in a beautiful setting by Jesus. A gift that is given to his disciples is still commemorated in every nook and corner of the world. It is a mystery of our faith which continues to enthrall and surprise us. There is no opposition or negligence from those who have been accepted into the Church because they do not understand its meaning and significance. The institution of the Eucharist which happened two thousand years ago continues to be celebrated in the same manner with those same words uttered by Jesus.  

Holy Trinity - Hope of the Glory of God

 The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday: June 12, 2022

Readings: Proverbs 8:22–31; Psalms 8:4–9; Romans 5:1–5; John 16:12–15

(Holy Trinity in the Imagination of Andrei Rublev)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/shLbPLdaxAM

During Easter and after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ the focus of our attention is more on the divinity of the person of Jesus Christ than his humanity. We have been celebrating one solemnity over the other in these Sunday liturgies, Ascension, Pentecost and today the Holy Trinity. One thing that is very common in these great feasts is how we look at the heavenly or divine things with our human reason, logic and faith. Perhaps when we celebrate on this Sunday the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity what we must inculcate within ourselves is a sense of wonder and awe as well as complete trust and confidence in our Lord. Because we might fail to understand or grasp the mystery of the Holy Trinity with our heads. Therefore, we must reach this mystery with our hearts. The liturgical readings of this Sunday help us immensely in this promising pursuit. 

1. We are little less than the angels and yet crowned with glory and honour.

The readings from the book Wisdom and Psalm which we read today are commonly called sapiential writings give us ample resources to understand who we are and what is our place here on earth. The famous existential assertion in theology which is profounded by many theologians how can know God if we do not know ourselves first could be the foundation in understanding God and ourselves. Unless and until we know ourselves we would not be able to understand divine things. Therefore, we must understand the human person as a whole, its relationality, cognitive reality and so on. 

Pentecost: Working of the Holy Spirit through Spiritual Gifts

Solemnity of the Pentecost Sunday: June 05, 2022

Readings: Acts 2:1–11; Psalm 104:1, 24, 29–31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3–7, 12–13; John 20:19–23

(Coming of the Holy Spirit on Mary and Apostles)
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/Yon8r-K4zvc

Veni Sancte Spiritus, tui amoris ignem accende, means "Holy Spirit, come to us, kindle in us the fire of your love." This "Come Holy Spirit" hymn is a sacred composition presumably written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Vienna in 1768 at the age of 12. Today on this Pentecost Sunday, once again the hymn Come, Holy Spirit resounds in our Churches and our homes. It is a vibrant feast which makes us feel upbeat about our faith life and our life in the Spirit. The promise of our Lord Jesus is fulfilled with the outpouring of the Spirit on Mary and the Apostles (Acts 1:14). The liturgical readings of the day invite us to be fully consumed by the Spirit of God just as the apostles experienced two thousand years ago.

1. Holy Spirit accompanies us always with various gifts

St Luke the author of the Acts of the Apostles records so beautifully the day when the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples of our Lord who were holed up in the house due to the fear of the Jews. There was a sudden noise  with a great wind from the sky which"appeared to them (disciples) tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them" (Acts 2:3). This dramatic but fearful situation turned out to be something different. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages. This astonishing experience changed the disciples entirely. Instead of fear, boldness filled them, instead of ignorance, intelligence engulfed them, instead of knowledge, wisdom came out of their mouths, instead of denial, the trust made a home in them, and instead of running away, the disciples would remain and defend themselves and what they believed in. The change in the lives of disciples was enormous and inexpressable.

Ascending to the Father in Heaven

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: May 29, 2022

Readings: Acts 1:1–11; Psalm 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9; Ephesians 1:17–23; Luke 24:46–53

(Ascension of Jesus into Heaven by Lash Larue, 2022)

To listen to my audio-video reflection on YouTube, please click on the link: https://youtu.be/SbGcb_uRrFA

When you live in a faraway foreign country leaving behind your parents and making a visit once in two or three years, and saying goodbye to them before you take a flight is always difficult. It is difficult to part from those who are of your flesh and blood. Often the thought of, will I see my parents or my dear ones again dominates the back of your mind. We are so interconnected with our relationships, that saying goodbye or bidding farewell always brings tears to our eyes. On this Ascension Sunday, the liturgical readings give us a mixed scene of joy and sadness in which Jesus bid farewell and was taken up into heaven. His final words to his disciples demonstrate that it was not easy. The story of Jesus did not end with the empty tomb, or with Jesus’ appearances to the Apostles over the course of forty days. Jesus continues to live in and around us from his seat in heaven.

1. We are witnesses of the Lord

We celebrate the Ascension Sunday, after 40 days of Easter. This feast celebrates how the resurrected Lord went back to his Father. Even though the Gospels of St Mark and St John do not speak about the ascension of our Lord, St Matthew and St Luke give us a beautiful description of how the Risen Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven. In fact, St Luke begins the Acts of the Apostles with an awesome description of Jesus ascending into the heavens. In fact, this is the end of Jesus' life on earth and his departure from this earth once and for all. We see the contradictions in which the narration about Jesus' final moments on this earth are given. The truth behind this ascension is an assurance that the truth revealed by Jesus will be proclaimed to the ends of this earth.