"Whatever you eat, whatever you drink, whatever you do at all, do it all for the glory of God."
1Cor. 10 : 31
Today the church celebrates the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits. The quotation above taken from today’s first reading at Mass sums up the spirituality of Ignatius. Giving glory to God was all that mattered. The story of Ignatius conversion makes interesting reading. Belonging to a courtly family in Spain he became a soldier but was wounded in battle. He had a broken leg which doctors set badly, and finding that he was going to be left with a limp, he asked to have it broken again and reset properly. The terrible pain to be endured plus the long convalescence was the price he was willing to pay in order to continue his life as a dashing young soldier.
But God had other plains for Ignatius. An avid reader, he asked for novels to while away the lonely hours in Loyola Castle. But when nothing could be found, except the lives of the Saints he was glad to enjoy the company of these brave men and women. Gradually he felt the call to identify with their heroic deeds and before he left the family home, walking perfectly again he was changed for life.. Ignatius had found a new King, Jesus Christ, whom he would serve with enthusiasm and devotion for the rest of his life. As we thank God for Ignatius’s conversion today we can look back at our own life and see how the providence of God has been there guiding us through the bright and the dark patches.
Prayer
Take O lord, receive my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. You have given all to me, now I return it. All I have is yours. Dispose of it wholly according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace. With these I am rich enough. I desire no more. Amen ( St. Ignatius of Loyola )
