† Quote of the Day "All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know him better, love him more surely, and serve him more faithfully." — St. Ignatius of Loyola Today's Meditation "If God can use everything and everything is good, then an essential starting point of being able to discern God's will is the gift of being "equal-minded." St. Ignatius of Loyola called this gift being "indifferent," but some modern people interpret this term as not caring about the choices. Better is the term "equal minded," which implies that I am happy to take either this option or that option. Neither option matters to me except insofar as one gives greater glory to God than the other." –Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, p. 73
An excerpt from How to Listen When God Is Speaking Daily Verse "For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? — the God who girded me with strength, and made my way safe. He made my feet like hinds' feet, and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy right hand supported me, and thy help made me great." — Psalm 18:31-35 | St. Ignatius Of Loyola St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) was born at the castle of Loyola in Basque country, Spain, the youngest of thirteen children. In keeping with the young aristocrats of his day, Ignatius sought after military prowess, vainglory, and fame, and became a knight at the age of seventeen. He was known as a fancy dresser, an expert dancer, a womanizer, sensitive to insult, and involved in criminal behavior. During a period of convalescence after being wounded in battle, he read a collection of saint biographies and a Life of Christ. These books profoundly affected him, and he experienced a conversion of heart. He desired to pattern his life after the great saints, and ceremoniously hung up his military garments before an image of the Virgin Mary. After experiencing a vision of the Blessed Mother with the Infant Jesus, he lived for a time as an ascetic in a cave. It was during this time that he formulated his famous Spiritual Exercises, the spiritual centerpiece of the religious order he would later establish. He then went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and studied theology for many years. During his studies he gathered a group of six like-minded men and founded the Society of Jesus, today known as the Jesuits. They went as missionaries all over the world to spread the Gospel, especially focusing on education. Today the Jesuits have over 30,000 members and 500 universities. St. Ignatius of Loyola's feast day is July 31st. | Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest • Readings for the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, priest Reading 1 Jer 15:10, 16-21 Woe to me, mother, that you gave me birth!
a man of strife and contention to all the land!
I neither borrow nor lend,
yet all curse me.
When I found your words, I devoured them;
they became my joy and the happiness of my heart,
Because I bore your name,
O LORD, God of hosts.
I did not sit celebrating
in the circle of merrymakers;
Under the weight of your hand I sat alone
because you filled me with indignation.
Why is my pain continuous,
my wound incurable, refusing to be healed?
You have indeed become for me a treacherous brook,
whose waters do not abide!
Thus the LORD answered me:
If you repent, so that I restore you,
in my presence you shall stand;
If you bring forth the precious without the vile,
you shall be my mouthpiece.
Then it shall be they who turn to you,
and you shall not turn to them;
And I will make you toward this people
a solid wall of brass.
Though they fight against you,
they shall not prevail,
For I am with you,
to deliver and rescue you, says the LORD.
I will free you from the hand of the wicked,
and rescue you from the grasp of the violent. Responsorial Psalm Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18 R. (17d) God is my refuge on the day of distress.
Rescue me from my enemies, O my God;
from my adversaries defend me.
Rescue me from evildoers;
from bloodthirsty men save me.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
mighty men come together against me,
Not for any offense or sin of mine, O LORD.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! for you I watch;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
As for my God, may his mercy go before me;
may he show me the fall of my foes.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
But I will sing of your strength
and revel at dawn in your mercy;
You have been my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of distress.
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress.
O my strength! your praise will I sing;
for you, O God, are my stronghold,
my merciful God!
R. God is my refuge on the day of distress. Alleluia Jn 15:15b R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I call you my friends, says the Lord,
for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel Mt 13:44-46 Jesus said to his disciples:
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
searching for fine pearls.
When he finds a pearl of great price,
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."
| Daily Meditation: Matthew 13:44-46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. (Matthew 13:46) In today's Gospel, Jesus tells a parable comparing the kingdom of God to a precious pearl. He reminds us that God's grace is so beautiful and eternity with him so valuable that it should move us to "sell all" we have to pursue it (Matthew 13:46). Today we also remember St. Ignatius of Loyola, a man who embodied this teaching. Ignatius was born in 1491 to a wealthy Basque family in Spain. A charismatic nobleman who indulged in the pleasures of life, he pursued a career as a military officer. When cannon fire shattered his leg on the battlefield, however, his exploits came to an abrupt halt. As he lay bedridden, Ignatius struggled to find purpose. He was accustomed to reading stories about the exploits of brave soldiers, but the only books available to him were a life of Christ and stories about the saints. In his boredom and frustration, he picked them up. There he discovered Jesus, the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:46). His life was forever changed by the Savior who loved him despite his worldly past. Once he recovered, Ignatius renounced his past ambitions and turned his relentless zeal toward the quest for holiness. Out of love for Christ, he rigorously pursued prayer, penance, and contemplation. In 1522, he confessed his sins, gave away his fine clothes, and left his sword at an altar in the shrine of Montserrat. Together with several companions, he formed the Society of Jesus in 1539 and brought many people to faith in the Lord. Even today, Ignatius' witness continues to inspire men and women to prize Jesus above all else and follow him unreservedly. God may not be calling you to live as Ignatius did, but he does want you to find the pearl of great price. He wants you to taste the goodness of his Son Jesus and experience his love. He wants you to discover that nothing compares with knowing him. So open your heart to the Lord today. Ask the Spirit to help you love Jesus singleheartedly. By his grace, you can "sell all you have" to follow Christ and spread the good news of his love. It's worth it! "Thank you, Jesus, for being my pearl of great price." Jeremiah 15:10, 16-21
Psalm 59:2-4, 10-11, 17-18 |  Hear AI Read it to you. Updated 7/10/24 | Reflections with Brother Adrian: | In the Holy Scripture we hear today:
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again,
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field......" end quote. | From Bishop Barron:
"Friends, today Jesus offers two parables about the kingdom of heaven. Let's focus on the first one: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again."
Sometimes God's love is found that way. There's a saying: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Sometimes in the course of our everyday lives, something happens that vividly and surprisingly summons us to union with God. We realize, in a flash, what it's all about. We weren't particularly looking for it, but it found us.
That's what Jesus is getting at today. As you walk through the fields of life, be open to the in-rushing of grace when you least expect it. And when it comes, give up anything that holds it back......" end quote Bishop Barron.
So, what all have you sold and traded in to be a follower of Christ?
All your lands? All your friends? All your family? Can we all be like St. Francis, or even today's St. Ignatius trading everything in and following the Lord? Many are still becoming Franciscans or Jesuits, but can we all do that? Do we need to become lay Franciscans or Jesuits of the 3rd order? No. No we don't have to do that, but we can all become what Franciscans and Jesuits are trying to be better at....Christ Followers. Their orders are ordered to attempt to follow Christ's footsteps closer. I believe Pope Francis is a Jesuit, whom actually loves the Franciscans, and that's why he chose "Francis" as his Pope name.
If this were the case for me, I guess I could be called a lay Carmelite with the confirmation name as "Francisco" too.
But why do we take on these names and orders? I'm not in the Holy Orders, but we all do have holy orders from God.
We take on these names and lives to attempt to trade in our own lives, to forsake our lives for the sake of God's Kingdom.
We have found a treasure. We are trading in now, our time, treasure, and talents for God's sake, right?
I have found the most valuable treasure. Therefore:
My life is ordered toward God our Father.
My goals always focus on timing with God.
My family is centered on God.
My decisions all involve God.
My conversations, I invite God to help guide me.
My arguments, I must take a break and involve God in prayer.
My time, my weekdays, my weekends must revolve around God, prayer times, Holy Masses, and even weekday Masses and Confessions even when on vacation.
And the center of my attention, in Church, is the Eucharist, the Body of Christ. When I see Christ, I see Christ in the people around. Christians.
Christ followers. Those who have traded their way of living for the Way of Christ our Lord. It is a giving life and a loving life.
This is a true treasure, so valuable, above all things and above all loves.
To have found the most valuable treasure...and it is not an object, but the very Heart of God, Jesus Himself. Sacred Blood Of Jesus, illuminate us, purify us, make us love Thee more and more! Blood of Jesus, be my life, course through our veins! |  audio | Random Bible Verse 1
Romans 8:2 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you1 free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. | If one day you don't receive these, just visit Going4th.com
God Bless You! Peace | | |
