Lenten Moments of Mercy: Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent Inbox x

Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent   The disciplines of Lent help us proclaim Christ when his message is resisted.

Scripture “The LORD redeems the life of his servants;       none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” Psalm 34:22   Reflection Ignatius Loyola (1491–1556) was a Spanish courtier and soldier wounded in battle. During his long recovery from his battle wounds, he wanted to read popular romances that would help him pass the time. Instead he was given a book about the life of Christ and a collection of stories about the saints. These readings transformed his life as he learned how to discern what God was calling him to do. As he grew in his faith, he wrote his notes on the experience of his conversion, which would later become the Spiritual Exercises. When he started to share these insights with others, he attracted the attention of the Inquisition in Spain and was thrown into prison a number of times. Eventually he was ordained, and with a number of colleagues founded the Jesuits in 1540. Today the Spiritual Exercises are given throughout the world and are acknowledged as a classic presentation of the spiritual journey for Christians. As we see in the readings from the Book of Wisdom and the Gospel of John, the life of one who follows the Holy Spirit is not readily accepted. People who follow the Holy Spirit might be tested with insult and torture so his critics may find out how gentle and forbearing he is (Wisdom 2:19). In the Gospel of John, we read that those who objected to Jesus’ acts of mercy and healing came to arrest him with the hope of condemning him to death. “Then they tried to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him, because his hour had not yet come” (John 7:30). Pope Francis has also received harsh criticism for his blunt messages against corruption and wastefulness, and his general concern for the care of the poor. In this sense, he is also walking the same path followed by St. Ignatius: to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s world. The season of Lent and the disciplines that we are called to follow are meant to strengthen us for the days ahead when the message of Christ will be resisted in both our personal lives and the wider society. When we respond to these criticisms with gentleness and forbearance, we will be following Christ as true disciples.

Pope Francis “All the persons that the Holy Spirit chooses to speak the truth to the people of God suffer persecution.” Morning Meditation, 4 April 2014   Lenten Action ► Review the statement from Archbishop Joseph Kurtz on the persecution of Christians. ► Learn more about the Spiritual Exercises.   Prayer Lord, let us call on you in times when facing resistance in proclaiming your Word.

http://www.loyolapress.com/