Ignatian Reflections

3 November 2024

Written by Benjamin Jansen S.J. | Nov 3, 2024 4:00:00 AM

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel prompts an interesting consideration: what would life look like if we really loved the Lord alone with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength at every moment of every day? What would it be like to live even a single day totally absorbed in contemplation of the Presence of the Lord? What would it be like to live one’s entire life like that?
This is our greatest and most important task: to love God totally in every instant of every day with every fiber of our being. It is important to also recognize that this commandment is given to us wholly for own good. The human heart was designed for the love of God. We cannot ever be truly satisfied, happy, or fulfilled outside of relationship with Him, no matter how we might try. And, more than anything, God wants us to be happy. Every command of the Lord possesses a distinct, gentle sweetness as each is ultimately intended for the accomplishment of our greatest possible happiness and fulfillment.