8 November 2020
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s first reading speaks of the advantages of seeking wisdom. Keeping in mind this passage, we can recall that Ignatius of Loyola received many direct inspirations from God, among which were the spiritual insights along the Cardoner which provided a unifying focus for his life. That focus, however, was not enough. After his pilgrimage to Jerusalem he started a college career that enabled him to be a teacher. It is also interesting to note that among his companions, he was more often than not referred to as Master Ignatius, noting his academic degree. The life of Ignatius reminds us that the search for wisdom requires us to be attentive to the revelations of God as well as human wisdom. For Ignatius, both human and divine wisdom had their source in God and were worthy of study. Seeking wisdom should be our task as well, and we are encouraged by Ignatius who started his project of formal education rather late in life. Noting his good example we realize that it we are never too old to seek wisdom.