Memorial of Saint Ignatius Loyola
Just as Jesus revealed to his disciples, He discloses to us that the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure so incredibly special that a person would sacrifice everything to own the treasure.
In celebrating the Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, we also celebrate the grace of conversion that leads one to discover the treasures of heaven. Saint Ignatius experienced a profound transformation of heart while recovering from a cannonball injury, which guided him to renouncing his worldly ambitions and embrace a life dedicated to God. He discovered God’s treasure by sacrificing a life of privilege for a life dedicated to building the kingdom of God.
Saint Peter Julian Eymard, founder of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, also received the grace to surrender his entire life in order to promote the Eucharist, trusting in its power to spark a similar love in others and create a more loving and charitable world.
God invites each of us to enter the kingdom, where unimaginable treasures await us. At every Eucharistic banquet, we partake in and share the Body and Blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ – the greatest of all treasures! May we follow the examples of Saint Ignatius and Saint Peter Julian Eymard by freely surrendering our worldly comforts and possessions to humbly respond to God’s invitation and experience the treasures that await us.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, you invite us to your Eucharistic feast in preparation for our entry into your heavenly kingdom. May we not only profess to believe this to be true, but may we confirm our response by our actions as we love others as you love us.
