The Feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga SJ | Tuesday 21 June 2022

Today is Tuesday the 21st June, the feast of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga SJ.
Josh Garrels sings a version of ‘No Longer Slaves’. “I’m no longer a slave to fear. I am a child of God”. Can you make these your own words today?
You unravel me, with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone
And I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
From my Mother's womb
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I've been born again, into your family
Your blood flows through my veins
And I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I am surrounded by the arms of the Father
I am surrounded by songs of deliverance
We've been liberated from our bondage
We're the sons and the daughters
Let us our sing our freedom
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
You split the sea so I could walk right through it
My fears are drowned in perfect love
You rescued me so I can stand and sing
I am a child of God
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew 7:6,12-14
‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.
‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Today, we remember the Jesuit saint Aloysius Gonzaga who died as a student in Rome caring for the victims of the plague. He is reputed to have said on one occasion, ‘It is better to be a child of God than king of the whole world.’ With that thought in your mind, can you recognize the difference between trying to be a ‘child of God’ and trying to be ‘a king of the whole world?’ Which are you trying to be at this time of your life?
Matthew describes the difference between the broad well-travelled road that leads to destruction and the narrow gate of the hard road that leads to life. It is much easier to pass through that narrow gate as a child. How is God calling you to simplify your life, so that you can approach that narrow gate with confidence?

As you listen again, imagine that you arrive at a crossroad where you have to choose between that broad well-travelled road and a narrow gate. What are you holding onto that prevents you from passing through the narrow gate?
Coming to the end of your prayer, perhaps it is time to share some of those burdens with the Lord. You may even want to leave some of them with him so that you can walk unencumbered along the right path. Ask him if you can right now and listen to what he says in response.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.