Ignatian Reflections

3 January 2024

Written by Cornelius Buckley S.J. | Jan 3, 2024 5:00:00 AM

Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Yesterday, the first reading in the Mass centered on God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, dwelling within me because of his love for me. Today’s reading describes the result of that union. It is so extraordinary that it takes a special grace to realize what it is.

It is through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that I become an adopted child of God. “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are”. Translation: Love transcends the boundaries of rationality.

We know what benefits adoption brings to a legally adopted child. Although not a natural son or daughter, he or she has the same rights as the natural heir. So it is with those baptized, anointed in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are truly children of our Heavenly Father, heirs to his eternal glory.  Provided with the Father's assistance, we overcome the anti-Christs which impede such a union from taking place..

Resolve: I will pray to the Father in Jesus's name to give me a deeper realization of what divine filiation means.  I pray that the Father make me more conscious that Jesus uses me along with the gifts the Father has given me, and the Spirit, who teaches me to pray, to bring others to the anointing of the Son.