Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest
Readings: Jer 15:10, 16-21; Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18; Mt 13:44-46
Notes
Saint Ignatius of Loyola understands Jeremiah’s instruction: bring forth the precious without the vile.
Great care must be taken to show forth orthodox truth in such a way that if any heretics happen to be present they may have an example of charity and Christian moderation. No hard words should be used nor any sort of contempt for their errors be shown. Source: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-ignatius-of-loyola/
Summary
We rely upon the Lord for our deliverance, both in this life and the life to come. Rescue me from my enemies, O my God; from my adversaries defend me. Rescue me from evildoers; from bloodthirsty men save me. The trouble starts when we are impatient with the Lord and devise (scheme, more like it) to get the outcomes we desire. While the outcome may be a good outcome found in an improper path is fruitless and lacks the divine blessing of true grace.
Reflection
In our gospel reading today, we can take a reflective approach that expresses the path of righteousness a little differently. The Kingdom of heaven is… work.
- A treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again. He just didn’t happen upon the treasure. He was searching for the treasure. Digging here and there until finally he locates the treasure. It’s not as if it was hidden from him, he just doesn’t know how to read a map! He buries it again and aligns all his life to the care and protection of this newly found treasure. Hidden treasure? I like to answer this way: Hidden in plain sight.
- A merchant searching for fine pearls. Again, work. The merchant searches high and low and in all the right places until he locates the fine pearls. I liken this to a person who comes to Church but is blind to the actual pearls being offered (Forgiveness, Love, Scripture and Eucharist). But he continues to search until one day, doh!, it occurs to him. I come here to find Jesus…. and he found me instead.
What does all this work produce? In addition to finding the answer what else is occuring? Jeremiah has the perspective: bring forth the precious without the vile.
All the searching and digging, seeking and finding have the marvelous effect of discarding the vile. Stripping away all that has become the projection of our worst, is ‘worked off’, discarded, abandoned… as the greater good becomes our focus. And, oddly enough, the stripping off the vile reveals you as from the beginning, pure, good and innocent. Just the way you were made.
Personal Reflection
On the AT trail everyone finds themselves stripping away anything that weighs you down be it too much of this or that or things that have no actual value relative to the purpose of the journey. When you engage others, it becomes pure and simple and supportive. And when encountering vile, you walk away, as it isn’t good for you. Get ride of the vile. You are precious.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola encountered much vile. In himself and in others. Yet he kept his searching and digging pure to the purpose and became a great aid to others needing to follow good Spiritual Exercises.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073124.cfm
First Reading
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.
Responsorial
God is my refuge on the day of distress.
Gospel Acclamation
I call you my friends, says the Lord, for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.
Gospel
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.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Great insight
Thank you!