+(Intro) This morning we celebrate St Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order. As a young soldier, when he was severely wounded, he was given a life of Christ and some lives of the saints that changed his life. So let us be aware of our own sins and need of conversion.
(After the gospel) Our scripture readings today are appropriate for today’s memorial. While the Jesuit Order is the largest within the Catholic Church, having between 14-15 thousand members spread throughout the world, it has not been without controversy.
The Jesuit missionaries in China in the 17-18 centuries adapted Christian teaching to fit local traditions. Other Orders of the Franciscans and Dominicans argued that this compromised Christian doctrine. Growing political and national resentment in Europe led to expulsions from parts of the country. In 1773 they were suppressed by the Pope, only to be restored until 1814. They are accused today of deviating from strict Church teachings on social and moral issues.
The words of Jesus that we just heard, how “a prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house” are still very relevant. So let us pray during this Eucharist that in our own time, the peace and unity Christ came to give us may be realized.
Jer 26:1-9; Matt 13:54-58