31 July, Thursday — Living in God’s Presence

Jul 31 – Memorial for St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

St. Ignatius (1491-1556) was wounded in the leg by a cannonball at the siege of Pampeluna on 20 May 1521, an injury that left him partially crippled for life. During his recuperation the only books he had access to were The Golden Legend, a collection of lives of the saints, and the Life of Christ by Ludolph the Carthusian. These books, and the time spent in contemplation, changed him.

On his recovery he took a vow of chastity, hung his sword before the altar of the Virgin of Montserrat, and donned a pilgrim’s robes. He lived in a cave for a year, contemplating the way to live a Christian life. His meditations, prayers, visions and insights led to forming the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus.

• Patron Saint Index

Exo 40:16-21,34-38
Mt 13:47-53

“…separate the wicked from the just…”

The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God’s presence during Israel’s desert wanderings. Despite their grumbling and disobedience, God remained steadfast – he guided, fed and also disciplined them when he needed to, to form them into his people. God accompanied them in the pillar of cloud and fire, and was always near, filling the Tabernacle with his presence. He fed them with manna, quail and water from the rock, but as a Father, also disciplined them. By barring Moses from entering Cannan, he was showing his people that disobedience has grave consequences. For us, these lessons remind us of the need to trust in God’s providence and plans for us, regardless how dire our circumstances or how seemingly unclear the future is. We remember that God is always faithful to upholding his side of the covenant, and strive to listen, surrender and follow as faithful disciples.

Reflecting on this, I do ask myself if I really trust God as I profess to. Maybe the real test will be when I am sorely tried. Even now, it is easy to fall into the temptation to lean on my own strength and plans, instead of consulting the Lord when making decisions. I allow my ego to take over, and ‘float on’ through life. It is easy to become vaguely satisfied with a lukewarm faith – telling myself that so long as I am broadly aligned with keeping the Commandments and attempting to live by the Beatitudes, that I am ‘safe’ and ‘saved’. When my spiritual life falls into mediocrity and I choose to stay there, is that good enough for God? At the bottom line — is he truly number one in my life, and do I live with one eye on eternity?

In today’s gospel, Jesus compares God’s Kingdom to a dragnet gathering all fish — good and bad into the church. At final Judgment though, angels will separate the ‘just’ (righteous or good fish) from the ‘wicked’ (bad fish), who face eternal damnation (Matthew 13:49–50). The gospel sets out, in no uncertain terms, that rejection of/disobedience to God can cost me eternity. Bluntly direct, we are given very clearly a warning of what awaits each one on the final day of reckoning. Whilst God makes room for everyone in His kingdom, the certainty of divine judgement is clear and the consequences for the ‘bad fish’ are final and eternal. Perhaps the question to sit with is not just ‘am I disobedient to God?’ but also, am I ‘actively obedient’ to him?

Preparing ourselves for this reality highlights the great importance of discernment in life – the choices we make day to day – whether they lead us to, or away from God. It is providential that we mark the feast of St Ignatius today, whose spiritual exercises have guided many to become more attuned to the voice of God calling them to himself, in whom fullness of life is found. Through the prayer of the Examen, we learn to listen to the soft promptings of the Spirit. One needs to be able to hear God; and to hear properly, we need to withdraw into silence and stillness. When we can allow the wildness in the heart, mind and even body to settle, we can sift through what is from God and what masquerades as the voice of God. Only true discernment will lead us to recognise the voice of God, which always calls us to life. 

Life, as we know, is so unpredictable and death can come calling any time. Wisdom tells us to live as righteously as possible – to enrol in the kingdom every day. Each morning gives us a fresh opportunity to make a choice – to follow Christ or to reject him. We cannot guarantee that we will be privileged to receive the last rites when our time comes and we cannot presume on God’s mercy because there will be judgment. Let us heed this call to live as we were made to – to love and serve God and to love and serve one another, in the particular circumstances of our lives, and align that with His particular will for each one of us. He always desires to be with us — not just now — but in eternity. Whilst we still have the chance to, let us respond to this invitation by striving to be in the ‘right place’ when the day of sorting comes.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Corinne Cheok)

Prayer: Take, Lord,  and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace; that is enough for me.   – St. Ignatius of Loyola

Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, for your constant presence in my life, your lessons and insights and your endless mercy. Thank you for the chance to live life well, and the chance to glorify you. Amen.