HOMILY OF MONDAY IN THE 17TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A
Saint Ignatius Loyola, Priest
Saint Ignatius Loyola was a Spanish priest and theologian who founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Born in 1491, he underwent a profound spiritual transformation and developed the Spiritual Exercises, a structured method for deepening one’s relationship with God. His dedication to education and missionary work contributed significantly to the Catholic Church’s influence and global impact. Canonized in 1622, he is the patron saint of soldiers and educators.
Exodus 32:15-24,30-3, Matthew 13:31-35
THEME: THE RIGOUR OF MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.
Our fervent prayer should be that the people we strive to support will not scatter the fruits of our labor due to impatience or misguided expectations. While Moses was on the mountain discerning the will of God for the people of Israel, they were busy in the camp installing another god for themselves. “Moses’ anger blazed. He threw down the tablets he was holding and broke them at the foot of the mountain.”
Doing good is one aspect, but it is equally important for people to perceive and recognize it as such. The people said to Aaron, “Make us a god to go at our head; this Moses, the man who brought us up from Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Oftentimes, we are seen as relevant only when we are functional. People tend to bid us goodbye when we no longer meet their expectations.
Knowing human dynamics helps us to know what people can do. It helps us not to expect too much from others. By faithfully fulfilling our God-given duties, we entrust the rest to Him, preventing us from inadvertently dispersing what we have gathered due to anger or frustration.
May the Lord grant us enough wisdom to manage all that he has entrusted to us. Amen.
