Ignatian Spirituality

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
31 July 2011


We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Isaiah 55:1-3
Thus says the Lord:
Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty;
though you have no money, come!
Buy corn without money, and eat,
and, at no cost, wine and milk.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
your wages on what fails to satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and you will have good things to eat
and rich food to enjoy.
Pay attention, come to me;
listen, and your soul will live.
With you I will make an everlasting covenant
out of the favours promised to David.

Psalm: Psalm 144:8-9,15-18

Second reading Romans 8:35,37-39
Nothing can come between us and the love of Christ, even if we are troubled or worried, or being persecuted, or lacking food or clothes, or being threatened or even attacked. These are the trials through which we triumph, by the power of him who loved us. For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Gospel Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus received the news of John’s death he withdrew by boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. But the people heard of this and, leaving the towns, went after him on foot. So as he stepped ashore he saw a large crowd; and he took pity on them and healed their sick.
When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, ‘This is a lonely place, and the time has slipped by; so send the people away, and they can go to the villages to buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘There is no need for them to go: give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they answered ‘All we have with us is five loaves and two fish.’ ‘Bring them here to me’ he said. He gave orders that the people were to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full. Those who ate numbered about five thousand men, to say nothing of women and children.

Reflection
By Fely Santiago

There is no need for them to go away, give them some food yourselves.

Today, is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, one of my favorite saints or I should say my very favorite saint. What a coincidence. I am molded into his Ignatian Spirituality of being “contemplatives in action,” of letting go and letting God, of totally surrendering to God’s will, of finding God in all things, in every moment, in every area of our lives. Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality for everyday life. It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others. A focus on action is an important characteristic of Ignatian spirituality.

The Gospel today is a great manifestation of a life of service to others, of putting words into action, "give them some food yourselves”. We cannot be real Christians if we just pray and not being able to bless or serve others, whether they are Christians or not. And that’s basically how we live today. Our life right now is a life of service. Sharing the love of God. A mission to serve the people of God to bring the good news of God’s unconditional love for us.

It is also for this reason why we want to be Truly Rich. We want to be able to give some “food” ourselves to anyone, to anybody who comes to us for help. Be it a request for our time, our talent and most especially, our treasure or money. And it’s difficult to give what you don’t have. It is wanting to have money to be able to bless others but without being attached to it. That is being Truly Rich. Let’s be contented and grateful for what we have but we can’t stop there. We need to stretch our faith for others as well. When you have more than enough to give some “food” for others, that is when you’re walking in the fullness of God’s blessings. And you give Honor and Glory to the Source of all these blessings!

So starting today I encourage you to ask God to show you ways that you can be a blessing to someone else. Put actions behind your faith even if you start with something small. Don’t stop short of the fullness of His blessing. Reach out and help others and watch God increase you in every area of your life!

Take Lord, receive, all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will.
All I have and hold You have given me. To You Lord, I return it, everything is Yours, do with it what You will.
Only Your love and Your grace, that is enough for me.(St. Ignatius Loyola, from The Spiritual Exercises)