Friday, August 1, 2025 - Homily

 

Friday, August 1, 2025 - Be careful of saying, “I know”, you may miss the Messiah.

To read the texts click on the texts: Lev 23:1,4-11,15-16,27.34-37; Mt 13:54-58

The incident of the rejection of Jesus in his hometown is found also in Mark 6,1-6. Like Mark, Matthew too leaves Jesus’ hometown unnamed. Yet many think that Matthew may have been referring to Nazareth where Jesus grew up (2,23) rather than Capernaum in which Jesus did a lot of his ministry. While the people accepted that Jesus did indeed speak and act with authority, they wondered about the source of this authority. This wonder soon turns to a negative assessment on their part when they take offence at Jesus. Matthew {unlike Mark who identifies Jesus as a carpenter (Mk 6,3)} identifies Jesus as the “carpenter’s son” since he is interested in showing Jesus as Son of Joseph and so Son of David. In response to their negative attitude to him, Jesus speaks of himself as a prophet and identifies himself with the true prophets of Israel. In Matthew {unlike in Mark where the failure on the part of Jesus to work miracles is the result of the unbelief of his townspeople (Mk 6,6)} the initiative rests with Jesus and though able, he does not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

 

We keep expecting people to behave in a particular manner and sometimes when they do not behave as we expect them to, we tend to get upset. This happens even with parents and children. While it is not a problem to have some reasonable expectations, we must also be open to change and realise that they may not always behave as we expect them to.

Thursday, July 31, 2025 - Homily

 

Thursday, July 31, 2025 - St. Ignatius of Loyola - The Founder of the Society of Jesus - 1491-1556 - A transformed and transforming life

To read the texts click on the texts: Dt 30:15-20; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Lk 9:18-26

The readings of today set the tone for the celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits. In the first reading of today, Moses makes a strong plea to the Israelites to choose life. Ignatius did precisely that when he was convalescing after the injury he suffered at the battle of Pamplona in 1520. His reflections during this time became the turning point of his life. It was when lying in his sick bed and contemplating the life of Christ that he decided that everything was refuse when compared with the knowledge of Christ.

This deep and intimate knowledge of Christ which was not merely intellectual but knowledge of the heart, led him to love Christ with all his heart and mind and to follow him unconditionally.

It was this intimate knowledge of Christ which sustained him all through his life and especially during the tremendous challenges that he faced. Like Paul, he too believed that he received mercy from the Lord. One important reason for receiving this mercy in such large measure was because he recognised that he was a sinner and in need of God’s grace made available freely in Christ. Like Paul, Ignatius became an example to many. One of these whom he converted through Christ’s grace was the now famous Francis Xavier.

The Gospel text from Luke serves as an apt description of how Ignatius perceived his master and Lord Jesus. Though Luke depends on Mark for this scene of Peter’s confession, he has made some significant changes in order to bring out his meaning of the text. The first is that unlike Mark, Luke does not give the geographical location (Caesarea Philippi), but gives instead the context of the prayer of Jesus. Through this change, Luke makes the confession a spiritual experience. Luke also changes Marks, “one of the prophets” to “one of the old prophets has risen.” Though the difference does not appear to be great, it is for Luke. In the Gospel of Luke, before Jesus everything is old. Jesus makes all things new. Luke has also eliminated Peter’s refusal to accept Jesus as the suffering Messiah and the rebuke of Peter by Jesus. Luke avoids narrating Marcan texts that show Peter and even the disciples in a bad light.

The second question to the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” shows on the one hand that the answers given of the crowd’s understanding of Jesus are inadequate, and on the other that Jesus wants to know their understanding of him. In all the Synoptic Gospels it is Peter who answers, but here too Luke adds to Mark’s, “You are the Christ”, the words “of God”. The Greek word “Christos” means in English “the anointed” and this conveys the meaning of royalty. However, by his addition, Luke also brings in the prophetical dimension of Jesus’ person and mission. This prophetical dimension is explicated in the verses, which follow the confession of Peter, in which Jesus explains the kind of Christ/Messiah/Anointed One that he will be. The reason for the rebuke or “stern order” not to tell anyone is because Jesus wanted to avoid any misunderstanding of the term which could be understood only in the glorious sense. Jesus as “the Christ of God” will come in glory, but only after he has gone to the cross, died, been buried and then raised.

Taken together the five sayings on discipleship show clearly, that discipleship to Jesus requires a total commitment of life, taking the cross, giving one’s life in obedience to Jesus’ direction, forsaking the pursuit of wealth, and living out one’s discipleship publicly before others.

This is what Ignatius did and taught others to do. Today more than 465 years after his death, his legacy still remains. The Society of Jesus that he founded remains a Society that has at its core the following of the Crucified Christ.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - Homily

 

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - What would you give in exchange for your life?

To read the texts click on the texts: Ex 34:29-35; Mt 13:44-46

The parables of the hidden treasure (13,44) and the fine pearls (13,45-46) are found only in the Gospel of Matthew. In both the parables the one who finds, goes and sells all he has for the sake of what he has found. However, the one who finds the treasure in the field finds it by accident and is not actively looking for it, whereas the merchant is in search of fine pearls. This is probably why the one in the field is filled with joy whereas the merchant knowing that he has found what he is looking for is not filled with joy, but is willing to give up everything for the sake of the pearl that he has found. Though some may find the action of the man in the field who hides the treasure questionable, it must be noted that the parable does not legitimise the man’s action of hiding, but focuses on his action of selling all that he had. The point of the parables seems to be that the dawning of the kingdom calls for reflection on one’s values and leads to action that brings on a new set of values.

We might become so used to doing things in a particular way that we are unwilling to change even if someone shows us a better way of doing the same thing. These parables are calling us to Newness and to sacrifice what we are for what we can become.

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - Homily

 

Tuesday, July 29, 2024 - St. Martha - Will you like Martha, presume to tell Jesus what he ought to do, or will you like Mary listen to what he would like you to do?

To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Jn 4:7-16; Lk 10:38-42

St. Martha whose feast is celebrated today is mentioned in the Gospels of Luke and John. She is the sister of Mary and Lazarus. She comes across in the Gospel of Luke as a doer.

This text, which speaks of the encounter of Martha and Mary with Jesus, takes the form of a pronouncement story (a story in which a saying of Jesus stands out and is the focus of the story).

While the Gospel of Luke explicitly mentions women disciples of Jesus, here Mary is even sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to his teaching, something unthinkable at the time of Jesus. By sitting at his feet, Mary is acting like a male, and in doing so neglects her duty of helping to prepare the meal. This action of Mary also results in bringing shame upon her house.

Though justified Martha’s protest is put negatively by her. It is clear that her focus is not the Lord, but herself. She is concerned not with her service of the Lord, but the trouble that it is causing her because she is left alone to serve. The response of Jesus to Martha is the main point of the story and the pronouncement. The repetition of her name is a mild rebuke. Her “cares” have prevented her from unhindered devotion and attention to the Lord. Mary has chosen the one thing necessary and that is the Lord. Martha presumes to tell Jesus what he should do; Mary lets Jesus tell her what to do.

There are times when we do things not because we are convinced that they have to be done but because we want the approval of others or we want others to know how hard we are working. These are selfish acts and do not bring grace. The act that does bring grace is when we do what has to be done simply because it has to be done and expect nothing in return.

Monday, July 28, 2025 - Homily

 

Monday, July 28, 2025 - Small beginnings will have great endings. Well begun is half-done.

To read the texts click on the texts: Ex 32:15-24,30-34; Mt 13:31-35

There are three parts to the text of today. The first is the parable of the mustard seed (13,31-32) then is the parable of the yeast (13,33) and finally the reason why Jesus speaks in parables (13,34-35).

While the parable of the Mustard seed is found also in Mark 4,30-32, Matthew follows the Q version more closely. While in Mark, the mustard seed becomes more correctly a shrub which puts forth large branches (Mk 4,32) and the birds of the air make nests in the shade of the shrub (Mk 4,32), in Matthew, the mustard seed becomes a tree (13,32) and the birds of the air makes nests in its branches (13,32). The tree motif probably has references to the symbol of the imperial tree mentioned in Ezekiel 17,23 and 31,6. The point, however seems to be to contrast the present lowliness of the kingdom with its ultimate greatness.

In the parable of the yeast, we are told about the act of a specific woman in hiding the yeast in three measures of flour, just as the mustard seed had spoken about the act of a specific man in sowing the seed. Yeast, here is used in the positive sense, whereas generally it has negative overtones. The reason for the use of yeast as a symbol for the kingdom is to probably shock the listeners. The quantity of flour into which the yeast is hid is three measures, which would produce enough bread to feed about 150 people, and is indeed a large amount, brings out the aspects abundance and extravagance. The kingdom at present seems small and insignificant, as is the yeast, but it will be revealed in its fullness later.

Though Mt 13,34 parallels the conclusion of Mark’s parable discourse (Mk 4,33-34), which states that Jesus spoke to the crowds only in parables, Matthew has added in 13,35 the eighth of his formula or fulfilment quotations. The quotation is from Ps 78,2 and Matthew probably uses it because of the word “parable” found in it, though the context in the Psalm is not about hiding but about revelation.

We might tend to get discouraged sometimes when we cannot see clearly the results of our actions. We have striven hard and at times all that we have to show for our hard work seems negligible in comparison. The parables of the mustard seed and yeast are calling us to continue to sow and mix or in other words to do what is required of us to the best of our ability.

Sunday, July 27, 2025 - Homily

 

Sunday, July 27, 2025 - Prayer is Action

To read the texts click on the texts: Gn18:20-32; Col 2:12-14; Lk 11:1-13

What is prayer? If all the books that could be written to answer this question were written, it would be difficult for the world itself to contain the books that could be written.

There is an old story of a monk who was bothered by mice playing around him when he prayed. To stop it, he got a cat and kept it in his prayer room so the mice would be scared away. However, he never explained to his disciples why he had the cat. One day, the monk walked down the corridors of the monastery and noticed that each of his disciples had a cat in their prayer room. After seeing their master with a cat, they thought having a cat was the secret to powerful praying.

Prayer had been defined as “talking with God”, “listening to God”, “petitioning God” “intimate communion and communication with the Lord” and so on. However, a definition that makes the most sense to me is “Prayer is action”. This is because all too often Prayer has been relegated to theory and verbosity. It has often been understood to be sterile. Not too many of us who pray believe that our prayers will be answered and this is proved when we are often surprised and even astounded when we get what we pray for. However, in Jesus’ definition, prayer is not the last but the first resort. When we need something we go first to our Heavenly father who is the primary cause.

The Gospels contain only one instance of Jesus’ teaching his disciples on Prayer. While the text of today’s Gospel is also found in Matthew and is known popularly as the “Our Father”, it must be noted that there is no “Our” in Luke’s version of the prayer which seems to fit the historical context better than Matthew’s version. It is more likely that Jesus taught his disciples the meaning of prayer and how to pray when he was praying.

There are many aspects to the Lord’s Prayer in Luke which contains five petitions. The first and second petitions concern God directly. They are both a petition for God’s sovereignty to be established. They petition for the full coming of God’s kingdom and for the time when all creation will acknowledge and celebrate the holiness of God. The term “Father” is not static but dynamic and indicates an endearing relationship, a relationship of trust and confidence.  It is imperative that one approach God with confidence and conviction much like a trusting child approaches its trustworthy parents. The third petition is for bread, for sustenance in our everyday life. This is an indication that God in concerned with even the mundane, ordinary things our daily lives. Fourthly the prayer is for forgiveness of our sins in the same way in which we forgive others their sins against us. One who will not forgive cannot receive forgiveness; mercy flows through the same channel, whether being given or received. There is no quid pro quo here; however, the ability to forgive and to be forgiven is part of the same gift. We stand in need not only of daily sustenance but also of continual forgiveness. The final petition is a climactic one that underscores our relationship to God as a Father to whom we can appeal for protection from any circumstances that might threaten our lives or our relationship to and for protection during the trials or tests accompanying the full manifestation of God’s kingdom.

Though not part of the prayer that Jesus taught, the instructions that follow the prayer in Luke are as important as the prayer itself and must be seen along with it. The core of these instructions is that God does answer all prayer. What is required is perseverance and persistence. This is the kind of persistence shown by Abraham in the first reading of today when he keeps petioning God who finally grants him what he asks for. Indeed, God exhibits no disapproval even as Abraham is direct and resolute. As Abraham continues to keep petioning, God responds in a consistently positive way. Abraham’s concerns are matched by God’s. God will go to any extent to save the righteous. God’s will to save outweighs God’s will to judge. God does take Abraham’s thinking and petitions into account before deciding what the final outcome will be. God does take prayer seriously.

This is shown in the last part of the Gospel text for today when Jesus assures his disciples that God does answer prayer. To be sure, the answer may not be as we expect or even want, but God does listen and God does answer and without a doubt, what God gives will be infinitely better than what we want for ourselves. A striking example of this is Jesus’ own prayer in Gethsemane. As persistent as Jesus was that the cup be taken away from him so he was that God’s will be done. While the first part of the prayer was not answered and God did not take the cup away from Jesus, the second part that God’s will be done was certainly answered. Though he did not “hear” his Father respond, Jesus rose fortified from his prayer. He was ready now for action, he was ready to face the cross. It is evident today two thousand years later that this was infinitely the better answer. It is very likely that if God had taken the cup away, Jesus would have lived for a few more years. However, if this were the case, then Jesus would not go to the Cross, there would be no resurrection and Jesus would have been remembered as yet another good and holy man. The fact that God’s will was done is the reason why Jesus died and was raised and lives even today.

Paul speaks of this fact in the second reading of today when he reminds the Colossian community of believers of who they have become through the death and resurrection of Jesus. They who were dead have become alive to God through the forgiveness they have received in Jesus’ resurrection.

This is thus what prayer means: We petition God with confidence and persistence, free our minds and hearts of every negative and unforgiveness that will prevent us from receiving his bountiful grace and believe that every prayer of ours will be answered. Our prayer like that of Jesus must fortify us and prepare us to face the realities of the world.

Saturday, July 26, 2025 - Homily

 

Saturday, July 26, 2025- Are there some whom you deliberately exclude from your circle of friends? Why?

To read the texts click on the texts: Ex 24:3-8; Mt 13:24-30

This is a parable found exclusively in the Gospel of Matthew. It is not clear whether this parable existed independently as a parable or whether it was conceived as an allegory from the beginning. Those who think that the parable existed independently interpret the parable to mean a statement against building of boundaries and so excluding some. The building of boundaries and forming exclusive communities is not the business of human beings, but is God’s task.

The point seems to be that even though the kingdom of God has been “sown,” evil continues to be real and effective, and it attempts to understand the interim period with its challenges on the basis of the beginning and especially the completion of the kingdom. In other words, the sowing is all important. Once the seed (wheat) is sown, no matter what the obstacles, there will be growth. The task of the disciple is therefore not to concentrate too much on the darnel (though they are aware of its presence), but to rest firm in the knowledge that since the sowing has been done, the gathering is assured.

Like the field in the parable there is good seed and there are weeds even in the world in which we live. There is both good and evil. We are called to take only what is good and not focus too much on the evil or bad. This does not mean passivity in the face of evil but a call for a discerning mind and heart

Friday, July 25, 2025 - Homily

 

Friday, July 25, 2025 - St. James, Apostle - Will you like St. James drink your cup courageously no matter what the consequences?

To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt. 20:20-28

St. James is described as one of the first disciples along with his brother John to join Jesus (Mk 1:19-20). He was one of the three whom Jesus took with him when he raised Jairus daughter from the dead (Mk 5:35-43), on the mountain of transfiguration (Mk 9:2-9) and at Gethsemane (Mk 14:32-42). The Acts of the Apostles 12:1 records that Herod had James executed by sword. He is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament.

The Gospel text chosen for the feast of St. James is from the Gospel of Matthew.  In order to spare the disciples, whom Matthew usually represents as understanding, Matthew replaces the disciples’ own request with one represented by their mother and does not name the “sons of Zebedee” here. The request for seats at the “right hand and left hand” reflects the rule of the Son of Man from his throne. In his reply to the request the Matthean Jesus focuses on the image of the cup which is used as a symbol for suffering, testing, rejection, judgement and even violent death. Though they express confidence that they are able to drink the cup, Jesus knows better. However, even martyrdom will not gain the disciples special places. That is God’s prerogative and grace. Jesus then takes the disciples to another level and perspective of leadership where to be a leader is not to dominate or dictate but to serve. Christian leadership may be defined as service.

James understood this after the death and resurrection of Jesus as was evident in his martyrdom. He followed his Lord and Master to the end and did indeed drink the cup courageously.

 

Thursday, July 24, 2025 - Homily

 

Thursday, July 24, 2025 - Do you consider yourself a disciple or are you an outsider? How does your discipleship show in your life?

 To read the texts click on the texts: Ex 19:1-2,9-11,16-20; Mt 13:10-17

This text concerns the reason for Jesus’ speaking in parables. While in Mark (4,10-12) a larger group asks about the parables, in Matthew, it is the disciples who ask Jesus why he speaks to “them” in parables. Understanding the parables of Jesus is not simply a matter of using one’s intellect, but a grace given by God himself. It is given to those who acknowledge their dependence on God. Only those who have committed themselves to follow Jesus are given an insight into the mysteries of the kingdom. Since they have Jesus as their teacher, they will be able to understand all there is to know. The closed attitude of those who do not wish to follow is what is responsible for their lack of understanding. Matthew quotes Isaiah 6,9-10 completely here, and regards the lack of understanding as a fulfilment of Isaiah’s prophecy. Since the disciples are open and receptive they are indeed blessed. They are able to see and hear and understand what mere human knowledge can never hope to understand.

Humanity has taken great strides in the areas of science and technology, and yet there are many things that we still do not understand. We can use technology to communicate with someone who is thousands of miles away, but technology cannot explain to us why we cannot communicate with a neighbour who lives by our side. This must lead to the realisation that when all is said and done we will still fall short of understanding all the mysteries there are and have to depend on God.

Novena to St. Ignatius - Day Two - July 23, 2025

 

NOVENA TO ST. IGNATIUS – DAY TWO

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025

Hymn: O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because he first loved me. To me Jesus is wonderful. To me Jesus is wonderful. To me Jesus is wonderful because he first loved me.

 

DEEP PERSONAL LOVE FOR GOD

The theme for our reflection today is “Deep Personal Love for God”. Love is not an emotion. It is the only reality. Love is not blind. It is clear sighted.

In his first letter, John makes many telling points about the reality of love. The first of these is that “We love because God first loved us.” (1 Jn 4:19). This means that all that we know about love has been revealed and taught to us by Jesus. He is the epitome of love. He is love incarnate. John then goes on to say, “in this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 Jn 4:10)

This love which God has for us is unconditional. The truth is that God loves us EVEN when we are sinners. God’s love is given as a free gift. This can be accepted or rejected. It is one thing for God to love us, and another thing for us to accept that love. We show that we accept this love when we love our brothers and sisters whom we can see. There is no other way. (1Jn 4:10-20)

The love that we have for others is often barter exchange. We keep expecting something in return for the love that we give. We pray that we will become aware that since God’s love for us is without conditions, the love that we profess will be selfless and without any expectation whatsoever. (SILENCE)

 

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

1.     That like you we too may always seek to do God’s will in our lives

St. Ignatius intercede for us

2.     That like you we may always strive for the Magis, the greater glory of God

St. Ignatius intercede for us

3.     That like you, we may seek and find God in all things and all things in God

St. Ignatius intercede for us

4.     That like you we may realise the temporariness and impermanence of things in this world

St. Ignatius intercede for us

5.     That like you we may be gifted with the gift of perseverance and never giving up

St. Ignatius intercede for us

6.     That like you we may be men and women for others

St. Ignatius intercede for us

7.     That like you we may be optimistic and positive about people and situations

St. Ignatius intercede for us

8.     That like you we may be responders and not reactors

St. Ignatius intercede for us

9.     That like you we may be men and women of discernment

St. Ignatius intercede for us

10.  That like you we may keep seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. St. Ignatius intercede for us

11.  That like you we may God the centre of our lives

St. Ignatius intercede for us

12.  That like you we may constantly turn to our Blessed Mother Mary for her intercession

St. Ignatius intercede for us

(SILENCE)

 

PETITIONARY PRAYER 1.     For the grace to make God known not only by our words but also by deeds

Lord, hear our prayer

2.     For the grace to give without counting the cost

Lord, hear our prayer

3.     For the courage to be more and more loving each day

Lord, hear our prayer

4.     For concern like that of God for those who are less fortunate than we are

Lord hear our prayer 5.     For our personal intentions Lord, hear our prayer

Let us Pray:  Loving Father you always listen to our prayers. We place these petitions before you to acknowledge that we are dependent on you. Grant what you in your generosity and wisdom know is best for us. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.   NOVENA PRAYER Ø  St. Ignatius, like Jesus your Lord and Master, you always desired to do God’s will. May we through your intercession and the intercession of our Blessed Mother learn to imitate Jesus in always seeking to do God’s will. (Make your petition) Ø  St. Ignatius, like Jesus your Lord and Master you always sought the greater glory of God and were not content with the status quo, the tried and tested. May we through your intercession and the intercession of our Blessed Mother learn to imitate Jesus in seeking the greater glory of God (make your petition) Ø  St. Ignatius, like Jesus your Lord and Master you strove to become a man for others. May we through your intercession and the intercession of our Blessed Mother learn to imitate Jesus in becoming men and women for others. (Make your petition). We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.     CONCLUDING PRAYER Heavenly Father, we pray for the grace to so open our hearts, that we will experience the tangibility of your love. Let our reception of that love, lead us to make the same love tangible for others.  May our love, be a love which shows itself in deeds. We ask this in your name. who live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever. Amen.   Hymn: O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because he first loved me. To me Jesus is wonderful. To me Jesus is wonderful. To me Jesus is wonderful because he first loved me.

 

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Homily

 

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Will you keep on keeping on even when your expectations are not fulfilled?

To read the texts click on the texts: Ex16:1-5,9-15; Mt 13:1-9

We begin reading today from Chapter 13 of the Gospel of Matthew. This Chapter is known as “The Parable Discourse” of Matthew, because in it we find seven parables. Two of these parables have been allegorised {The Parable of the Sower (13,18-23) and the parable of the Weeds and the Wheat (13,36-43)}. Some are of the opinion that 13,49-50 is an allegorization of the parable of the Net (13,47-48). The first parable in the Parable Discourse is the one that is known as the parable of the Sower. Though often it is the allegory that has been interpreted instead of the parable where the different types of soil are compared to different types of persons and their reception of the word, this does not seem to be the point of the parable. In the parable, in three types of soil (the path, the rocky ground and among the thorns), the seed is lost, and it is only in one type of soil (good soil) that there is gain. Yet, the gain is enormous. The point seems to be that one must not give in to despair even if it seems that most of the good that we do seems to bear no fruit. In God’s time and in God’s own way it will bear even more fruit than we can ever imagine. We need to keep on keeping on.

In the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, when we work, we must work as if everything depends only on us and when we pray, we must pray as if everything depends only on God.

Novena to St. Ignatius - Day One

 

NOVENA TO ST. IGNATIUS – DAY ONE

TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025

 

Hymn: Listen, let your heart keep seeking, Listen, to his constant speaking, listen to the Spirit calling you. Listen to his inspiration, listen to his invitation. listen to the Spirit calling you.

 

LISTENING TO THE LORD

 

 

The theme for our reflection today is “Listening to the Lord”. The words of the hymn that we sang direct our minds and hearts to what it is that we need to listen to.  

The first exhortation is to let our hearts keep seeking. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord is emphatic when he says that if we SEEK, we WILL find (Mt 7:7). We seek God’s will. For Jesus, his food and drink were to DO God’s will (Jn 4:34). In other words, his very sustenance (his reason for living) was to accord his will with that of God.

The fact is that God is constantly speaking with us. God speaks with us in silence and through the events which occur every day. God speaks when things go as we plan and even when our plans go awry. God is constantly speaking, if we only open our hearts and minds to listen, we WILL hear God’s voice.

To what is the Spirit calling us. Since the Spirit is the Spirit of freedom, love and peace, it is evident that this is what the Spirit calls us to. We are not slaves, because Jesus has redeemed us and set us free. We love, because God first loved us (1Jn 4:19) and in our war-torn world, the Spirit is inviting us to be instruments of peace and love when and where we can.  This peace and love are not merely the absence of war and an emotion, but wholeness as represented by the word Shalom. It is a peace/wholeness which encompasses every aspect of lives.

(SILENCE)

 

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

1.     That like you we too may always seek to do God’s will in our lives

St. Ignatius intercede for us

2.     That like you we may always strive for the Magis, the greater glory of God

St. Ignatius intercede for us

3.     That like you, we may seek and find God in all things and all things in God

St. Ignatius intercede for us

4.     That like you we may realise the temporariness and impermanence of things in this world

St. Ignatius intercede for us

5.     That like you we may be gifted with the gift of perseverance and never giving up

St. Ignatius intercede for us

6.     That like you we may be men and women for others

St. Ignatius intercede for us

7.     That like you we may be optimistic and positive about people and situations

St. Ignatius intercede for us

8.     That like you we may be responders and not reactors

St. Ignatius intercede for us

9.     That like you we may be men and women of discernment

St. Ignatius intercede for us

10.  That like you we may keep seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. St. Ignatius intercede for us

11.  That like you we make God the centre of our lives

St. Ignatius intercede for us

12.  That like you we may constantly turn to our Blessed Mother Mary for her intercession

St. Ignatius intercede for us

(SILENCE)

 

PETITIONARY PRAYER 1.     For the grace to silence our minds and hearts.

Lord hear our prayer

2.     For the grace to rid ourselves of all that keeps us from accepting God’s will.

Lord hear our prayer

3.     For the courage to wait on the Lord, confident that we will hear his voice if we are attentive.

Lord hear our prayer

4.     For a heart that is empty of self-love and selfish interest.

Lord hear our prayer

5.     For the intentions of our hearts.

Lord hear our prayer. Let us Pray:  Loving Father you always listen to our prayers. We place these petitions before you to acknowledge that we are dependent on you. Grant what in your generosity and wisdom you know is best for us. We ask this through the intercession of St. Ignatius of you, the Son and Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

 

NOVENA PRAYER

 

Ø  St. Ignatius, like Jesus your Lord and Master, you always desired to do God’s will. May we through your intercession and the intercession of our Blessed Mother learn to imitate Jesus in always seeking to do God’s will. (Make your petition)

 

Ø  St. Ignatius, like Jesus your Lord and Master you always sought the greater glory of God and were not content with the status quo, the tried and tested. May we through your intercession and the intercession of our Blessed Mother learn to imitate Jesus in seeking the greater glory of God (make your petition)

 

Ø  St. Ignatius, like Jesus your Lord and Master you strove to become a man for others. May we through your intercession and the intercession of our Blessed Mother learn to imitate Jesus in becoming men and women for others. (Make your petition).

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

 

CONCLUDING PRAYER

God of revelation, you reveal your will to us through the daily events of life, the people we encounter, the things we use and the situations of life. We pray for the grace of open and receptive hearts.  Let our one desire be to listen attentively to what you would have us do and have the courage to do it. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Hymn: Listen, let your heart keep seeking, Listen, to his constant speaking, listen to the Spirit calling you. Listen to his inspiration, listen to his invitation. listen to the Spirit calling you.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, July 21, 2025 - Homily

 

Monday, July 21, 2025 - What sign have you been seeking from the Lord? Will you believe in his presence even in the absence of signs today? How?

To read the texts click on the texts: Ex 14:5-18; Mt 12:38-42

The text of today is continuation of the earlier text (12, 25-37) in which Jesus makes a series of pronouncements regarding the coming judgement. The Pharisees respond to these statements of Jesus by demanding a sign. In Matthew only disciples address Jesus as Lord, and the address “Teacher” here by the Pharisees indicates that they are not disciples. The sign they demand is a proof of Jesus’ identity. Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ demand is to make another pronouncement. In this pronouncement he regards them as an “evil and adulterous generation” which means a people who have closed their hearts to the revelation that God is constantly making. The sign of Jonah here refers clearly to the resurrection of Jesus. Further, it is the Gentiles (people of Nineveh) who will rise up and condemn the Jews. It is a clear reversal of roles. Jesus is greater than both Jonah and Solomon.

The manner in which some of us mourn and weep at the death of a loved one seems to indicate that we do not believe in the resurrection. This is the only sign that Jesus continues to give. If we keep looking for other signs of his presence we might find ourselves in the same position as the Pharisees of his time and miss him who makes himself available and visible at every moment of our lives.