The Seed of Holiness

Homily for July 31, 2017


Sin is defined as an offence against God. And since the world does not want to hear about God (Divine authority), it prefers to use the word ‘bad’ (indicative of freedom and choice).

We live in an age where sinful actions are advertised, openly displayed and people made to take pride in them without seeing anything wrong in them. If I call somebody a sinner, he or she could take it as an insult, but if I call that person a ‘bad guy’, he or she would smile and be happy.

When Aaron fashioned the golden calf, the people did not see anything wrong with it. They bowed and worshipped it, they even danced around it and engaged in orgies. There was no shame in them just as the people of our age are fast losing a sense of shame.

But then, see how our first reading ends. God says: “When it is time for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Sin is sin and it always attracts punishment yet we know God is merciful. How foolish we would be if we deliberately sin just because we are aware of his mercy?

If you always pardon your child each time he or she does something bad, how would you react if that child deliberately continues doing it and even laughs at you when you try to correct him? You be the judge.

In our Gospel passage, Jesus describes the kingdom of God as a mustard seed which appears to be the smallest of all seeds but eventually becomes the biggest of all shrubs. Character begins with little habitual acts. To become the person of your dreams, you have to start with very little acts of goodness and holiness. Whatever good we do this day is like a seed the eventually grows shaping us into saints in the future.

Today we remember St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus also known as the Jesuits. Ignatius was on his way to military fame and fortune when a cannon ball shattered his leg. Because there were no books of romance on hand during his convalescence (healing process in the hospital), he whiled away the time reading the life of Christ and lives of the saints. His conscience was deeply touched, and a long, painful turning to Christ began.

Ignatius was a true mystic. He centered his spiritual life on the essential foundations of Christianity—the Trinity, Christ, the Eucharist. His spirituality is expressed in the Jesuit motto, ad majorem Dei gloriam—“for the greater glory of God.” He is the Patron of Retreats.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live a good life. Amen.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time. Memorial of St. Ignatius Bible Study: Exodus 32:15-24, 30-34 and Matthew 13:21-35).*


Fr. Abu. 

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