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An update on our IP Scholars
Category: Features
A reflection on how the women surrounding St. Ignatius played a significant role and brought him closer to Mama Mary.
by Francis Xin, SJ
According to Oscar Wilde, “Every sinner has a future, and every saint has a past.” The same is true for Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
The Early Days Of Ignatius
Ignatius, originally known as Iñigo Lopez de Onaz y Loyola, was born in 1491 to a noble Basque family in northern Spain, near the town of Azpetia, in the Basque province of Quipuzcoa, in the old kingdom of Castile. He was the youngest of thirteen children. Iñigo never had much contact with his mother, Dona Marina, who may have died shortly after his birth. Consequently, Ignatius was turned over to a wet-nurse, Maria Garin, and spent his first years in her modest home rather than his father’s nearby castle, Casa Torre Loyola.
Each day, Maria would have taken baby Inigo up to Loyola. In time, the boy Iñigo went to the family’s Casa Torre and lived there until he was about 16 years of age. During those days, Dona Magdalena de Araoz, who was both his sister-in-law and the one who had taken the place of his mother, tried to describe for him what the fortress of Arevalo was like. Initially, Ignatius’ father steered him toward a church career. While still a young lad, he was tutored as a cleric, but when he seemed to show little interest in becoming a priest, his father sent him to Velazquez’s court at Arevalo where he served as a page and courtier from 1506 to 1517.
In August 1517, Ignatius was accepted as a courtier serving the Duke of Najera. He spent three years as a gentleman of the viceroy-duke’s household, and during most of this time, he remained in Pamplona. Later on, he joined the forces of the Duke, and became in charge of its defense.
In the spring of 1521, an invasion took place with the French occupying the city of Pamplona in Navarre. The Spanish garrison in the citadel stubbornly held out. Ignatius was foremost among the defenders and was severely wounded in the French bombardment of the citadel on May 20, 1521.
The Women In His Life
You may notice how the significant roles of women shaped the life of Ignatius. These women allowed Ignatius to experience motherly love while growing up. While very little is mentioned and written about the earlier years of St. Ignatius, I was led to contemplate and imagine how these encounters were like.
In Spain today, there is a simple chapel near the house of the mother of St. Ignatius, Dona Marina. As we know, his mother died very early. In the life of Ignatius, he had no mention of her at all. We cannot find any documentation of the relationship between them. Therefore, when he saw this chapel, he must have felt surprised or maybe even experienced anxiety. As I thought more about it, I was reminded of a song that goes:
”In the world only Mama’s dear, Child having Mama’s like a treasure, Close to Mama’s bosom, How happy you can’t tell; In the world only Mama’s dear, Motherless child is like a straw, Away from Mama’s bosom, Happiness nowhere to.find.“
If Ignatius had a chance, perhaps he would have expressed his gratitude to his mother. He would have thanked her for the gift of life. If he could, he would have come close to her, looked at her with affection, and wiped away her tears of guilt for not being able to take care of him. In addition, as he knelt beside her, he would have shared how he was not deprived of experiencing motherly love through the women around him.
My contemplation takes me further to imagining how Maria Garin took on the role of a mother to Ignatius. As he was crying for food, his nursing mother, Maria Garin, ran to him and carried him to breastfeed him. As he started to walk, she followed him patiently to prevent him from falling down. At night, she spent time with him until he fell asleep.
The following day, she brought him up to Loyola and allowed him to enjoy the time with his friends and companions.As Iñigo ran, he probably stopped and looked up to his mother in heaven with a big smile, as if to tell her, “Please be happy for me. Though it is sad that you are not with me, your love is very much present in my childhood:’
Another female in Iñigo life was his sister-in-law, Dona Magdalena. She brought books to him and taught him to read and write. Though sometimes his naughtiness upset her, she remained patient enough and held his hand in teaching him. On another occasion, he approached her and asked her about the characters from the books he was reading, while she teased him, which made them laugh together. He remembered vividly how she spent most of their time together telling him the story of courtly life before he left for Velazquez’s court at Arevalo. He recalled how she did her best to help him prepare for the unknown life in the future.
As he served as a page at Arevalo Castle, he was amazed by everything surrounding him. He enjoyed accompanying his master on his travels and was loved by the hostess, Dona Maria. She treated him like her own son, and supported him to pursue his desires and dreams. She listened to his struggles and passions, and encouraged him to face challenges. In his ups and downs, she stayed beside him and accompanied him. When Dona Maria’s husband passed away, even if she was in pain and needed company, she chose to let Iñigo go to pursue the bright future ahead of him.
At this point, I would like to imagine that Inigo noticed his emotions and tried to calm himself. He stood up, looked at his mother, and embraced her with much affection. No words were spoken but tears were enough to express how blessed he felt. As he finished his recollection of experiences, the young Iñigo led his mother to the statue of Mother Mary in the same Chapel. Tears once more flowed as they both gazed at the Blessed Virgin.
Here before him was another Mother whom he knew more intimately through the women of his earlier years. Iñigo thought that it was through his mother, Maria Garin, Dona Magdalena, and Dona Maria that he as able to develop a relationship with the Blessed Mother. All this time, he was never deprived o fhte expereinc of tenderness, care, and love of a mother with the many mothers that came along his way. On top of it all, he had an Eternal Mother who looked after him. Without a doubt in his mind, the Blessed Mother petitioned with her-that he be placed under the banner of the corss, and enjoy the companionship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Tears were not enough to express the gratitude welling from his heart.
The Legacy Of Women
In his book Ignatius of Loyola: The Pilgrim Saint, Cornelius Michael Buckley asserts that, “The primordial bonding between Iñigo and his mother, or rather the nonexistence of such a bonding, suggests the absence of the protective, liberating, fostering maternal presence that would have given him early direction, basic confidence, and would have opened up new objectives for him.” Ignatius may not have experienced the love from his own mother, but maternal love was never absent in his early life. He was well taken cared of by a nursing mother, Maria Garin, in his infancy; he grew up well under the care of his sister-in-law, Dona Magdalena in his younger years; and he was well supported to pursue his dreams by his hostess, Dona Maria, in his adolescence. All the affection he received was for his relationship with his unseen biological mother, Dona Marina, and with Mother Mary.
The Women In Our Lives
As I look back, my trust in Mama Mary as a religious was also fostered by my personal experiences with women in my life. When my mother was busy with her work to support our family, my maternal grandmother invited me to have my meals with her. When my father got sick and had to stay in the hospital with my mother who took care of him, my aunt was there to ask me to live with her in the meantime. When my high school teacher, Ms. Song, learned that I was having a hard time continuing my studies, she voluntarily supported me. When I expressed my desire to apply for a religious life, though my mother felt the pain of separation, she still opened her arms to let me pursue my desire. Right now, even if I am far from all of them who have been constant sources of consolation in my life, their love remains with me. Their selflessness and generosity reflect the same virtues of Mama Mary. Whenever I see the statue of Mama Mary, I know that she is here with me – just like my grandmother, my aunt, my teacher, and my biological mother – constantly nurturing and supporting me.
2022, April. The Women in Ignatius’ Young Life. Windhover, Vol 1, pp 6-9.
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The Word and A Reflection and My Prayer
THE WORD (Source: John 6.1-15)
Multiplication of the Loaves.
1 After this, Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee [of Tiberias].
2 A large crowd followed him, because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.
3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.
4 The Jewish feast of Passover was near.
5 When Jesus raised his eyes and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, he said to Philip,c “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?”
6 He said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little [bit].”
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,
9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline.” Now there was a great deal of grass in that place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted.
12 When th-ey had had their fill, he said to his disciples, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.”
13 So they collected them, and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.
14 When the people saw the sign he had done, they said, “This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world.”
15 Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain alone.
A REFLECTION
The story of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes appears seven times in the gospel! This reflects the deep impression of these events on the early Church. Six times we hear the story in Matthew, Mark and Luke; and John, as above, has a similar version – We hear much the same words at the Last Supper and echoed by Paul in 1 Corinthians. – “He took the bread and blessed it and broke it and gave it to them . . . “ And we hear these very words when we join in prayer at the Holy Mass! 2,000 years later! Take some time – reflect on this – Jesus still speaks to us – still feeds us.
MY PRAYER
Today’s Gospel offers a wonderful opportunity for prayer, a meditation using St. Ignatius contemplation of presence. Please –Stop or a moment – relax -recall that God is with you –close your eyes, and be silent – to observe – to listen – to take part.
Look and see a large crowd pressing in on Jesus – imagine yourself a little child bringing the bread and fish to Jesus – imagine yourself distributing the food to the hungry people:
Thank you, Jesus, for calling me and letting me help you share your Life with others .
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1st IGNATIUS 2021
LOYOLA TO MONTSERRAT 1491 – 1522
A drawing of Casa Loyola as it would have appeared in the time of St. Ignatius. It is located in Azpeitia, Gipuzkoa in the Basque region. (It is now surrounded by many religious buildings and within the area there is a basilica.) On the right is the identifying symbol of the family of the casa – two wolves at a pot of food, enough food to feed all visitors. This stone is set above the main door, which was on the left lower corner of the casa.
Ignatius was born on Christmas eve in 1491, the youngest of 13 children. He was baptized Inigo Lopez.
In 1509 Ignatius began a military career. He was engaged in much warfare under the Duke of Navarre. It was during the defense of the citidel of Pamplona in 1521 that Ignatius suffered a serious leg wound that left him incapacitated. Ignatius that they carried the wounded soldier back to his home in Loyola. It was a distance of about 17 km over difficult terrain.
The recovery period was long and quite difficult. On at least two occasions he had to go through very painful operations to properly fix and set his wounded leg. His desire was to read a number of the popular novels of the day, adventure and romance, tool while away the time of his confinement and in action. The only two books found in the house were the life of Christ and a book of the lives of the saints. With nothing else to do, Ignatius read and reread these two volumes. These books changed his life.
God’s grace was touching him. He felt Much consolation in reading about Jesus and the holy saints; more peace and consolation than what he felt when he was thinking of the life of a gallant and dashing Knight. In this time, it seemed he already experienced a number of visions. He felt that he saw most clearly mother Mary and the Child.
With this, he resolved to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and in imitation of the Saints to live a life of poverty and chastity and to make every effort to convert the peoples in those regions.
And so it was, in spite of the many protest on the part of his family to dissuade him, Ignatius began his pilgrimage from Azpetia to Jerusalem.
Ignatius left the casa sometime in February, 1522. He rode on horseback. He was accompanied by his brother. Together they made an overnight vigil at the shrine of Our Lady at Aramtzazu about 15 kilometers from Loyola. The next day his brother returned home and Ignatius continued on his pilgrimage.
The journey from Arantazu to Montserrrat took more than a month. It was generally uneventful except for the encounter that Ignatius had with a Muslim traveler where there was sharp disagreement about the Virgin Mary.
In late March Ignatius arrived in the vicinity of Montserrat, possibly at Manresa near Barcelona. In that small town he bought a pilgrim’s garment made of sackcloth and he gave his fine garments to a beggar. (which caused some difficulty for the better).
The picture is of the Montserrat range as seen from Manresa.
Ignatius had now reached the second step of his journey to Jerusalem. He was to pay his homage to the Black Madonna at the Benedictine Abbey in Montserrat. As he mentioned in his Autobiography, he spent time in prayer and made his general confession. He took three days to write out all that he wanted to bring forward seeking forgiveness for the sins of his past life. The next day he would receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
On the evening of March 24, 15,22, he began his knightly vigil before the altar of our Lady. This was the eve of the feast of Mary’s Annunciation.
The image shows Ignatius already in his pilgrim’s garb offering his sword to his Lady – a moment of consecration.
The pilgrim’s clothing would be his clothing for a long period of time – as he journeyed to Jerusalem and later would spent much time in Manresa and Barcelona..
For sure, deep in Ignatius’ mind was his intention to make the final part of his pilgrimage – to the land of the Lord Jesus in Jerusalem and there to stay for his mission for God’s glory.
Reflection and Prayer
Ignatius was much like each one of us – trying to find our place in the world.
The way was clear for him – born into a family of minor nobility a career as a military man was most appropriate.
And so, that is what he did – and quite successfully, it seems.
He had some basic human virtues that would do well for him –
most notably, a sense of loyalty in a life of service.
We see that helped bring Ignatius to the spiritual leadership that was his great grace.
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Pentecost Sunday
The Word, Source: Act of the Apostles 2.1-9, May 23, 2021
THE COMING OF THE SPIRIT
1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.
2 And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.
3 Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
4 And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
6 At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
7 They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
8 Then how does each of us hear them in his own native language?
9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome,
11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
A REFLECTION
Over the past seven weeks we have heard the wonderful story of the Early Church in St. Luke’s Acts of the Apostles. It is a very dynamic story – beginning with the election of Matthias to replace Judas.
The first great highlight is the Pentecost event – the promise of Jesus fulfilled – the Holy Spirit comes upon the twelve, and Mary and others gathered in prayer. It must’ve been an amazing and joyful moment.
The very next part of the Pentecost story is Peter speaking to all the people there – many gathered from many parts of the world for the feast there in Jerusalem. He tells them that Jesus is the Savior that they are to repent their sins and be baptized. Many accept that first invitation and many more will accept the invitation in Asia minor and as far away as Rome. It is quite interesting that when Paul arrived in Rome some time in 60 A.D. that he already found many believers there active in following Jesus. The word spread quickly that Jesus is the Lord, the Savior! The Holy Spirit is already inspiring the church – in the believing communities.
We hear the wonderful story about the Gentiles Centurion Cornelius who with this whole family and friends received the Holy Spirit and are baptized by Peter.
With all this, I reflect on myself – trying to recall, revitalize the gift of the Holy Spirit I received in Baptism and Confirmation. Sometimes I remember and, more often, I forget.
This season with all the readings from the Acts of the Apostles I find myself desiring a renewal of the Holy Spirit in my own life. It comes a bit late – but I will still take it, that as it may be. And I wonder, will I forget the Holy Spirit again? These days I have prayed a bit more for the gift of the spirit – that it may enliven my life as a Christian, as a Catholic and as a Jesuit. I need that grace of the Holy Spirit.
In a saving way I recall, I reflect that we invoke the Holy Spirit every time we make the Sign of the Cross. It is a gesture that, quite honestly, should not be rushed or done faultlessly. We invoke God the father, Jesus the son and we invoke the Holy Spirit. Maybe that will be a good resolution coming out of this Pentecost feast – not to rush, but to be more aware of our invocation of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now – What do we pray for?
MY PRAYER
A week ago, the prayer was for strength for witness and testimony to Jesus. Now – a “shopping list” of the fruits of the Holy Spirit that I desire to live out – this list was given by St. Paul based on his experience of how the Holy Spirit changed persons and communities –
Take some time with each of these foods of the Spirit that you desire or seek increase and intensification – Perhaps choose what you want to pray over each day this week – Pray to receive a renewal of the Holy Spirit in your life – with family, with friends, with coworkers and whoever comes to you needing help or blessing – The Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5.22-23) : love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All this I pray, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Greetings of Joy to Family and Friends and Benefactors – Peace!
Well, the picture shows it clearly – . It was May 20, 1521, when St. Ignatius of Loyola was struck in the leg by a cannonball during the defense of the fortress of Pamplona. The French would show him great courtesy by bringing him to his home in Loyola. There he would have to convalesce for many months. It was during this time that he read the only two books available to him – the life of Jesus and the lives of the saints. His first choice would have been novels about war and chivalry and beautiful women.
God’s grace one Ignatius over those quiet days.
So, we Jesuits invite you to join us in celebrating this singlular event that gave rise to the conversion of sin Ignatius, his journey to the holy land, his studies at Paris where he joined together with close friends offering themselves to the service of the Lord, their ordination to the priesthood in Venice and ultimately their acceptance by Pope Paul the third as a religious order.
All because of a cannonball!
Please join us this year, this 500th Anniversary Year, in prayers of thanksgiving and in prayers that we might ever more closely follow the way of Jesus in bringing good news and blessing to others. May I add that we also keep in our prayers all those laypersons and religious who share our ministries throughout the world – in seminaries and schools, hospital and prison chaplain sees, service to overseas workers, counseling for the many who desire help in their lives – and so many other apostolates. Please pray for all of us who share the call of Jesus the King
Please join us in prayer this coming Sunday, May 23 with Jesuits throughout the world. Be assured of our prayers for all of those whom we serve and all those who support our service to others.
A prayer of blessing for all –
Father Bill Kreutz, SJ
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Ascension of the Lord
The Word Source: Mark 16.15-20
15 Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages.
18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
A REFLECTION
There are many ways to reflect on this feast of our Lord’s Ascension. As you may be aware, this Ascension Sunday Gospel contains in the first section what is called the “Great Commission.” – Go out to all the world and tell the good news –
The other day, on the feast of St. Matthias, the Acts of the Apostles noted that whoever will replace Judas must have been with the disciples of Jesus from the very beginning. For they were the witnesses of all that he said and did and this will be the “content” of the Good News.
This made me reflect –
I have been baptized, born again in Jesus Christ. I have been confirmed, having received the gift of the Holy Spirit. I have read and reflected on the Gospels – I have heard and seen what Jesus said and did – I too, am a witness! – – I too am a witness!
To me, as to all who have been baptized and have received the Holy Spirit, is given the task – Proclaim the Good News – Live out the Good News of God’s love in Jesus Christ. Live out his commandment at the Last Supper – “love one another – as I have loved you.”
St. Francis of Assisi (paraphrased) – Give testimony by what you do: and if necessary, use words St. Ignatius of Loyola: Love is shown by what we do, not just by what we say.
MY PRAYER
Our prayer today is in three parts – Thanksgiving, Repentance, Rededication – Pray these slowly and repeat often in quiet humble prayer.
THANKSGIVING
Thank You Father that you have brought me to know and love Jesus your Son – the witness and testimony of the Apostles and Evangelist –
Thank You for his wonderful teaching and healing and forgiveness –
And thank you for bringing me into the reality of Jesus through the gift of the witness of many persons in my life.
REPENTANCE
I come humbly, as a prodigal child. To ask forgiveness for those times I have not been faithful to the Way of Jesus – evil thoughts, harsh and untrue words, selfish actions – especially that hurt others also. Father, if I have not forgiven others as I desire that you forgive me – and Father, forgive me if I have not borne true witness and testimony to your holy name.
REDEDICATION
On this occasion of the Ascension of your Son Jesus, I desire to be renewed as a witness to the way of Jesus Christ – I desire to give testimony to his love by what I say and do – love others by what I say and do – Accept my offering – Take and Receive, oh Lord . , ,
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6th Sunday of Easter 2021
May 9, 2021
The Word, Source: Acts of the Apostles 10. One – 49 (excerpts)
The Roman Centurium Cornelius Invites Peter the Apostle To His Home
25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage.
26 Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” He rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon alllwho were listening to the word.
45 The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also,
46 for they could hear them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.
Then Peter responded,
47 “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit even as we have?”
48 He ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
A REFLECTION
There are a number of stories about Gentiles (non-Jews) believing in Jesus and following the experiences and teachings of the apostles. Although this seems to be something of the past – it is most important – for we are Gentiles. Our connection to Judaism is to our faithful understanding of the Old Testament as the Moseic covenant with God before Jesus came as the central figure of the New Covenant. This part of our tradition allows us to call Abraham as our Father in Faith. And so, it was most amazing to the believers, as we see in this week’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, when they saw that the Holy Spirit came upon Centurion Cornelius, his family and all his friends who had gathered around to hear the words and testimony of the apostle Peter. The Lord God rewarded the goodness of Cornelius.
Can I urge again that you read this wonderful story as told by St. Luke. It is beautifully written in in a number of segments. It is a wonderful chapter – Chapter 10 of the Acts of the Apostles.
Now, this day, 2000 years later, we hear the words of Peter for ourselves.
As mentioned in an earlier communication – this is a good time to read a little of the Acts each day as we prepare for the feast of Pentecost – the Holy Spirit given for all of us.
As you read again today’s Scripture – be thankful and rejoice that you have been called to hear the message of Jesus.
It is a message of life – like to be received and life to be shared. Think of it.
MY PRAYER
Start with a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of faith in Jesus Christ – for this wonderful story of Peter and Cornelius – remembering parents and those who took care of you – perhaps the priests in your parish, the teachers in your schools over the years –the many who gifted you with a good example of Christian life. may be, too, the prayer group that supports you and how you support others –
Offer a prayer to be renewed in your faith, strengthen in the following of Jesus -Pray for a renewal, a new gift of the Holy Spirit – for whatever change of life is needed or desired – Father, in the name of Jesus – renew me in the Holy Spirit –
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5th Sunday of Easter 2021
May 2, 2021
THE WORD, The Vine and the Branches (spoken at the Last Supper), Source: John 15.1-8
1 [Jesus said to his disciples] I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
2 He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes – so that it bears more fruit
3 You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
4 Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.
6 Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.
7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
8 By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
A REFLECTION
This Sunday’s Gospel speaks not just of unity, but of the fruitfulness that comes out of unity. To be part of the vine of Jesus is to be fruitful – for others.
The vine and the branches image illustrates to us not just the value of unity, but the good that unity can bring about.
Recall what Jesus said “I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.”
How simple – if we are aligned with Jesus we can bring life to others.
This is done by kindness of words, generosity, forgiveness, reaching out to those in need – Note that the image of the vine and the branches is done for the sake of the food that is to be harvested.
“Without me you can do nothing.” (This, of course, is a statement for believers, for those who want to be part of the Jesus reality).
Back to that simple reality – love is shown by the way we act, rather than by what we say, the Jesus style;
MY PRAYER
(Take a few moments to quiet down and relax in God’s presence. Recall his promise to be with us, especially at this time of prayer.)
Lord God – I recall so many gifts received, so many blessings – and at times so many difficulties and crosses –but with all – accept the prayer of thanksgiving for blessings received –especially this day, for the blessing of being part of the vine – your Son, Jesus. I do want to be part of your son, Jesus; to be part of the good as he touches others
I pray to be a fruitful branch on the vine that is Jesus. That is my innermost desire. Do I ask for too much? I would want this to be an an ultimate desire for my life with my family and friends and all – even those I do not know who come to me for aid or healing.
Jesus, you are the vine – I desire to be a fruitful branch for others –
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Good Shepherd Sunday
4th Sunday of Easter 2021, April 25, 2021
The Word, Source: John 10. 11 – 18 Jesus — The Good Shepherd
11 I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
12 The hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.
13 This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.This command I have received from my Father.
REFLECTION
It can be well assumed that Jesus was quite familiar with three ways of life, among others, in Galilee and Judea. There were fisherfolk and farmers and sheepherders. Each of these can be seen or heard about in one place or another in the Gospels. Of course, we recall well that the shepherds are the first to see the baby Jesus there in Bethlehem.
Our reading today and our subsequent prayer find Jesus portraying himself as a shepherd –
the Good Shepherd.
And different from the versions of farming and fishing – here he puts himself actively in the picture.
The image I have chosen above was found on Google on a site with a novena to the Good Shepherd.
What touched me deeply was that in the picture –
the hands and feet of the Shepherd still have the marks of the nails.
The reality, the cost of being our Good Shepherd.
We pray that we may be touched by this reality of God’s love for us in Jesus Christ.
MY PRAYER
Quiet yourself in God’s presence and pray Psalm 23 slowly, over and over.
The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.*
You set a table before me in front of my enemies;*
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days.