Jul
Saturday, 31 Jul – Return To Innocence
31 Jul – 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
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Jeremiah 26:11-16.24
The priests and prophets addressed the officials and all the people, ‘This man deserves to die, since he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.’ Jeremiah, however, replied to the people as follows:
‘The Lord himself sent me to say all the things you have heard against this Temple and this city. So now amend your behaviour and actions, listen to the voice of the Lord your God: if you do, he will relent and not bring down on you the disaster he has pronounced against you. For myself, I am as you see in your hands. Do whatever you please or think right with me. But be sure of this, that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and on its citizens, since the Lord has truly sent me to you to say all these words in your hearing.’
The officials and all the people then said to the priests and prophets, ‘This man does not deserve to die: he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God.’
Jeremiah had a protector in Ahikam son of Shaphan, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
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Matthew 14:1-12
Herod the tetrarch heard about the reputation of Jesus, and said to his court, ‘This is John the Baptist himself; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’
Now it was Herod who had arrested John, chained him up and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her.’ He had wanted to kill him but was afraid of the people, who regarded John as a prophet. Then, during the celebrations for Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so delighted Herod that he promised on oath to give her anything she asked. Prompted by her mother she said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head, here, on a dish.’ The king was distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his guests, he ordered it to be given her, and sent and had John beheaded in the prison. The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl who took it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went off to tell Jesus.
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Innocent blood
Have you ever been blamed for a job which you never laid your hands on? My work environment is extremely fast paced. Things have to be delivered on time to guests. Sloppy presentations are not acceptable. It is very challenging to upkeep the reputation of a six-star hotel. So, you can imagine the precision and standard required at my workplace. It is all about making things happen. There are few occasions when I was assumed to have done something and had to pick up the pieces to finish a task which I was unfamiliar with, to continue a job which was done badly and to re-do it properly. When it was time to deliver, I was accused of spending too much time or using the wrong items. I would usually not bring the matter up, but if it affects my performance and causes me to be seen as incompetent, I will approach my supervisor at the end of my shift.
Today’s passages tell of two prophets, Jeremiah and John the Baptist, who share with the people about God. They are non-violent innocent servants of God whom the people felt threatened by and who were accused of sprouting nonsense. However, their consequences were different; Jeremiah was not handed to the authorities and was not put to death. For John, his death came as a result of fulfilling a birthday wish.
At work, we fight to survive and maintain our true capabilities, so that no one can undermine us, such that when something goes terribly wrong, others have the confidence that you are likely to be an innocent party in the situation. Likewise, if we are to defend our faith, believe in the confidence which has been given to us through prayers and from the Holy Spirit. Strong faith is to maintain the bonds between us and our Lord. Evil is around us and will find its way to spoil the innocence of Christianity.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Austin Leong)
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Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for a more harmonious society and worldly visions so that the good will prevail and no innocent blood be spilled.
Thanksgiving: You have given me strength and confidence in overcoming the difficult moments at work and school, may your Holy Spirit continue to show a bright path for me.
Upcoming Readings:
Sun, 01 Aug – Ecclesiastes 1:2;2:21-23; Colossians 3;1-5.9-11; Luke 12:13-21; Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
