Last July 31, 2006, a prayer service was held during the high school general assembly to honour St. Ignatius of Loyola. YCLC members led the community in prayer and shared the reflection.

THE GOSPEL READING:

Jesus said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9: 23 – 26)

REFLECTION:

St. Ignatius, a man who offered everything to Christ. Our Gospel reading reminds us that anyone who desires to follow Christ must deny himself and take up his cross. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Christ will save it. What does this mean to us? We ask ourselves what are the things we are holding on to. Are there persons or situations that prevent us from freely giving ourselves to Christ? We take stock of everything we have, everything we do. Our refrain is our simple yes to God: Lord, all this, I offer to you.

St. Ignatius, a man whose heart also enflamed others. Ignatius did not work alone. He had friends who worked closely with him as they sought to do God’s will. Together, they prayed, they gave themselves to their ministries, they built community. What does this mean to us? As we go seeking to do God’s will from day to day, do we also make it a point to work with others? Do we cooperate and inspire? Do we share partnerships? Following Ignatius’ example, we learn to work closely with others and be mutually inspired as we offer all that we do to Christ.

Dearest Lord, you call us to follow St. Ignatius and the example of his life. As students of Xavier School, may we also share in the graces that you gave Ignatius. May you teach us to give of ourselves to You and to the fulfilment of Your will in our daily lives.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Dearest Lord,

Teach me to be generous,

Teach me to serve You as I should,

To give and not to count the cost,

To fight and not to heed the wounds,

To toil and not to seek for rest,

To labor and ask not for reward,

Save that of knowing that I do Your most holy will.

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