The Memorial of St IGNATIUS of Loyola

Lev. 25:1.8-17, Mt. 14:1-12. Today's first reading portrays God speaking through Moses to announce the Jubilee year, which should be celebrated in a ground style than the seventh year known as sabbatical year. It is a year when the fields are not sown nor reaped in the usual way. All the leftover growth on the trees and plants are to be eaten, free of charge by anyone who wants the food. The seventh year was to be a year of rest and renewal for the land and a time of grace for the poor. During the Jubilee year, all property rights returned to the original owner. To bring such moment of grace to everyone, Jesus proclaimed “glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, recovery of sight for the blind and release for prisoners" (Lk. 4:18-19). However, in today's Gospel, John’s hasty execution so haunted Herod that when he heard about Jesus preaching, his first thought was “This is John, whom I beheaded.” Herod continued to feel guilty about the execution of John. Herod’s birthday is long in the past, but his promise speaks a quiet warning to us to this very day. Like John the Baptist we are called to be people of the word, who let God shape our values, our attitudes, our whole lives. Today, we celebrate the memorial of St Ignatius of Loyola, a faithful servant of God and the famous founder of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits who allowed God to shape his values, attitudes and life. Ignatius was once a soldier and nobleman, who had a life-changing experience and decided to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. Early in his life, Ignatius of Loyola sought worldly glory, fame and achievements in life, enrolling as a soldier to get that much sought fame and glory, only to get himself seriously injured during one of the siege battles, where his legs were severely injured in the heat of the battle. During his recuperation period, he had a spiritual encounter with God and a period of discernment, in which he came to realise that the true purpose of his life and true glory came not in the pursuit of worldly glory, fame and ambition. May the Lord bless our efforts and remain with us always, that we will always strive to do our best for His greater glory! Amen!! Good morning and have a wonderful weekend!!!