Inspiring Ignatian Quote #30

From the Old Testament to the New, this quote is written in various ways throughout. It is vital instruction as to the way we should live our lives.

Proverbs issues this wisdom: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD . . .” (19:17)

All four of the Gospel writers speak of this selfless love of one another without regard to the cost it may entail:

St. Luke’s account of the Proclamation of John the Baptist, replied to the crowd’s inquiry, “What then should we do?” thusly, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” (3:10-11)

In recounting the Mission of the Twelve Apostles in St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus instructed them, “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.” (10:8)

St. John’s account of Jesus ‘new Commandment’ is known universally: ”This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (15:12-13)

St. Mark echoes Jesus’ commandment in this way: “. . . ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (12:29-31)

This was how Ignatius lived his life and instructed his followers to live their lives. They took a vow of poverty and trusted in the providence and abundance of God to provide for them anything they needed to do His work. This pilgrim felt that if God wanted something done, He would provide the means for it to be done.

One interesting project he undertook a few years before he died was to build a home for prostitutes, in Rome. In order to help them reform their lives, he provided dowries so that they could either marry or enter religious life. This was named Casa Santa Marta (House of St. Martha, January 1544), commemorating the hospitality of the saint whose feast day we just celebrated yesterday. In an apartment within a modern Casa Santa Marta our current pilgrim Jesuit, Pope Francis now resides, rather in a Vatican Papal apartment. This speaks to his humility and his own desire to not use anything more than is necessary so that others less fortunate can be helped.

May we each serve with generous hearts and not count the cost to us, but bless others with genuine kindness and compassion.