One quality that characterised the life of St. Ignatius above all others was
his deep personal love for the person of Jesus Christ. Ignatius was so taken up
with Christ that he was willing to do anything, go anywhere, and be anyone as
long as he could imitate Christ. As a matter of fact, the first years of his
conversion were spent in only imitating Christ in all his poverty and humility. For Ignatius, Jesus Christ was the way, which
leads all people to life. This personal love for Christ was not merely
theoretical in the life of Ignatius, but characterised his whole being. He
showed this tangibly by naming the Society he founded, the Society of Jesus.
In our world characterised by self-centred
fulfilment, extravagance, and soft living, a world that prizes prestige, power
and self-sufficiency, to preach Christ poor and humble, with fidelity and
courage is to expect humiliation and persecution like Ignatius did. Yet we have
to move forward resolutely out of our desire to resemble and imitate in some
manner our Creator and Lord Jesus Christ. This personal love for Jesus must
characterise every Christian’s life.
Through the intercession of St. Ignatius we pray
for the grace that we too might have this deep personal love for Jesus Christ,
so that through our words and actions we might always reveal him to everyone we
come in contact with.
Heavenly Father, we pray that the intercession of
St. Ignatius of Loyola the founder of the Society of Jesus may obtain for each
one of us the grace that he received of this deep personal love for your son
Jesus, which inspired him to do great things for him. May our love, be not
merely theoretical, but a love which shows itself in deeds. We ask this through
the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dear Fr.Errol and all Jesuits
ReplyDeleteushing you all the courage to practice humility and poverty and also to lead us to HIS ways, way of life filled with Joy, Peace and Love and be content in everything and everywhere.
Regards
Adley, Fatima, Mario