When Ignatius was badly wounded from the battle of Pamplona, he hardly recovered. His health deteriorated. Worse, there were signs that death was near. His physician informed him that his days were already numbered, so he begged the Lord for him to recover the soonest. He desired for his life. Lord’s work, his recuperation was very fast that in five days he was already declared safe.
During his convalescence, he got to read the books: The Life of Christ and a book on the lives of the saints. While reading the books meditatively, he began to desire to follow the steps of the saints like Sts. Dominic and Francis. He used to say to himself, “Saint Dominic did this, so I have to do it too. Saint Francis did this, so I have to do it too.” This desire to imitate the saints lasted and brought him much consolation.
Having recovered from his infirmity, he wanted to go to Jerusalem. Every time his imagination brought him to Jerusalem, to the very places where Christ stayed and lived, his heart became restlessly yearning to fulfill this greatest desire. On February 1522, so determined, Ignatius commenced his pilgrimage and on August 31, 1523, he first set foot in the Holy land. His visits to the holy places gave birth to another desire; a desire to remain in Jerusalem and save souls. Sadly, he was not given permission to stay. Nevertheless, he was bringing with him his desire to save souls when he left Jerusalem.
His active pursuit to save souls brought him to more yearnings. He desired to preach. When faced with tribulations and inquisitions, he desired to study. He started studying Languages, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, worked and passed his Licentiate, then took a Theological Course. While studying, he met Peter Faber, Francis Xavier and some other friends. Together they desired for partnership in saving souls and vowing to live in poverty and chastity, and go to Jerusalem to serve Christ there. When their quest to go to Jerusalem failed, Ignatius and the other companions desired to form an Order. The Society of Jesus was born.
Desire was evident in Ignatius’ love story with Jesus. He just desired for life then this desire progressed to a desire to imitate the saints to visit the holy land to save souls in the service for Jesus. Ignatius’ mastered the art of eliciting desires which got him to his authentic self and found Christ’s fundamental desire for him.
Let us pray…
Grace to Pray for:
Lord Jesus, I beg for a heart that recognizes my earnest desires so that I may be at home with them, realizing that these are wonderful reflections of Your own desires for me.
Suggested Scriptures:
a) Isaiah 65:17-25 (The World Renewed)
b) Roman’s 8:28-39 (God’s Indomitable Love in Christ)
c) Luke 19: 1-10 (Zacchaeus’ Desire to See Jesus)
d) 1 John 1: 1-4 (The Word of Life)
Points for Prayer and Reflection:
-Make a list of your desires in life. What will make me happy? Which desire/s give/s me lasting happiness?
-Pray over your desires. Dialogue with the Lord on each of them.
-Like St. Ignatius, Zacchaeus ardently desire to see Jesus. Pray over Luke 19:1-10. Feel what Zacchaeus feels when Jesus passes by and the people are like high walls blocking his view of Jesus.
- Jun-G Bargayo, SJ -
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