Triduum for the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola

In preparation for the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, our Parish was blessed to embark on a three-day spiritual journey led by Rev. Msgr Marino Antolovic. Through a powerful triduum, he guided us using the story of St. Ignatius and the timeless truths of Scripture to explore the fundamental questions of our own lives: What is our purpose? Where are we going? And how do we get there?

These reflections guide us through a spiritual journey from uncertainty to revelation and ultimately to a life lived for God's greater glory.

We present them here in their entirety for your prayer and meditation.

PARISH FEAST DAY TRIDUUM 2025

Day 1 – From Slavery Towards the Unknown: Walk of Faith

Introduction

One of my favourite movies is Good Will Hunting (1997). The film follows Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a troubled but mathematically brilliant young man, and his journey through psychological therapy to confront his past and redefine his future. The turning point of the movie is in a hauntingly simple question posed to Will by his psychologist (Robin Williams): What do you want to do?, followed by: What do you really want? It is not as simple question as it may seem, but rather a very important and complex one. It is not about what do you want to do today or tomorrow, but what do you want to do with your life? What do you want to pursue, dedicate yourself to? What is the purpose of your life?

We too, at certain point of our life or maybe not just once, are faced this question. And the answer(s) to it shapes and directs our entire life. In fact, the answer to this question reveals who we really are! In the movie, this question was like a seed that fell into Will's soul and was unstoppably growing until it changed his heart and mind towards freedom from his emotional bonds that would not allow him to pursue what his heart was longing for.

Some of you have already dealt with this question or dilemma long ago and answered it or at least you think you did, others are maybe still looking for the right answer, and some are maybe just about to wrestle with it. In any case, we are never too young or too old to answer it or maybe to review it, and perhaps amend it with a different perspective and put it anew into practice. At the end of this triduum, hopefully we will have a clearer picture about it.

Homily

As we start this triduum in preparation for the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, let us briefly go back to the early 16th century Spain where we will meet a young but also already mature man, who is at peak of his strength and military career, whose dreams were crushed by misfortunate turn of events and who, because of it, finds himself at the crossroad of his life where he needs to make a decision concerning his future.

Ignatius was a nobleman and a soldier, focused on military and courtly life. During the Battle of Pamplona in 1521, a cannonball shattered his leg, forcing him to reconsider his life path. He had to start his life all over, but how? Doing what? First of all, he had to reconcile with the "loss" of his past life and accept the new reality in which he found himself against his own will -- it was a kind of "inner slavery" he did not know how to deal with and did not see any chance of 'liberation' any time soon if ever. More importantly he had to discover a new purpose of his life. But, as we know, this dramatic experience will put in motion something that will eventually turn into a blessing of knowing Christ deeply and intimately and will turn to be necessary for Iñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola to become Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

Today's first reading reminds us that journey towards freedom and realization of its purpose leads through some unknown and seemingly hostile territories in which disorientation and discomfort seem inevitable.

The journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt into the unknown wilderness is not merely a historical account --- it mirrors our own inner journeys. It reminds us that freedom requests purpose because without a guiding purpose, freedom can spiral into confusion, indecision, or even self-destruction. Purpose gives direction to freedom---it turns potential into meaningful action. But once we discover it, the real challenge begins: the challenge of walking toward a goal we may not yet fully grasp -- that is a walk of faith. Sometimes, the purpose is fully visible not in front of us but only when we look back at our life. That is also why, in order to move forwards day after day we need faith. But it is not always a smooth walk.

One of the subtler 'enemies' of our walk in faith is confusion. When we step into the unknown, we often lose our bearings. The familiar disappears, and the path ahead seems vague or overwhelming. This disorientation and uncertainty cloud our vision and erode our resolve. We begin to ask, "Where am I even going?" or worse, "Why did I leave in the first place?" Disorientation makes us wander.

And then comes fear. Fear is often the invisible chain we still carry long after we've been set free. It whispers: "What if you fail?" "What if you're alone?" "What if this path leads nowhere?" What if it is all just one big lie? Fear causes hesitation. It disguises itself as caution, but it's often just a doubt in disguise. And when we let fear drive us, we begin to walk in circles, never forward. What is requested then is courage and determination.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." - Nelson Mandela

In other words, courage means to go beyond our mere feelings or what is known to us. It means to take a step into the unknown, uncertain, uncontrollable, with noble intentions and trusting that there is that someone who actually guides our steps.

Thus, to walk forward, we need more than freedom --- we need a goal, determination, faith, and courage. Without a clear goal, our efforts scatter. Without determination, we give up too soon. Without faith, we don't even take the first step. And without courage, fear becomes our guide instead of God.

Coach Frank Martin, an American basketball coach, when asked whether technique or attitude is more important in teaching basketball defence, said:

"Attitude comes first. We've got to have guys who believe in our mission. Once they believe, we can teach them technique."

So too in the spiritual life. If we don't believe that our life is part of something bigger, if we don't trust that God is leading us --- we will never be ready for the road ahead. We must believe not only that God is calling us, but that He equips us and that we need not be afraid.

In Exodus, just 45 days into their journey, the Israelites begin to complain. Their bellies remember the full pots of Egypt, but not the chains. The comfort of slavery starts to look better than the uncertainty of freedom.

Why is this? Because confusion, uncertainty and fear make the past look safer than the unknown future.

This reminds me of the Grand Inquisitor's accusation of Jesus in one of the greatest novels ever written "Brothers Karamazov" by Dostoyevsky, for overestimating humanity by giving them freedom. He argues that:

"Nothing has ever been more insupportable for a man and a human society than freedom." Most people, he says, are weak, fearful, and incapable of handling the anxiety that comes with true freedom. They do not want freedom but security, miracles, and authority. However, for God human freedom is a precondition of love, because without it there is no love, no faith, no trust, no choice, no hope.

The Israelites still need to learn that freedom doesn't remove suffering, but purpose allows a person to endure or even embrace it with dignity. It transforms hardship into a path of growth, rather than despair. It helps us to discover who we really are. Once we forget about our purpose and who we are, we are more easily manipulated by ideologies, trends, or powerful voices of fake purposes that lead to our destruction. A clear sense of true purpose helps individuals stand firm in their freedom, resisting pressures to conform or submit.

They lost sight of the destination and begin to treat the desert as a final stop, forgetting that they are only passing through. And when we lose sight of our goal, even God's miracles, like the manna, become routine, and we forget who our true sustenance is.

God hears their cries, and He provides bread. But even more than that, He offers Himself. And that's what they fail to understand.

We too are "on the way", pilgrims not just through this life, but toward heaven. Our bread is Christ Himself, present in the Eucharist, sustaining us not just physically, but spiritually. To walk this road, we must silence the voice of confusion and fear with the louder voice of faith.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus speaks in parables --- and today, He speaks of a sower and his seeds. Some seeds fall by the wayside --- picked off quickly. Some fall on rocky ground --- springing up fast but with no roots. Others fall among thorns --- choked by distractions and worries. Only some fall on good soil.

These images speak directly to how we receive God's word in our hearts:

• Seed on the road represents the faith treated as a sideline, not central to life; it never has a chance.

• Shallow soil represents the initial enthusiasm with no depth; faith withers at the first difficulty --- often at the first discomfort, inconvenience, fear.

• Thorns represent worries, attachments, and noise that choke the growth of faith.

• Good soil represents a heart open, deep, and free where faith can take root and flourish.

So we must ask: What kind of soil am I? Have I allowed confusion and fear to harden my heart, or am I cultivating the kind of soul where God's word can take root?

The journey from slavery to freedom and from freedom to our final destination is never straight or simple. It leads us through deserts, into the unknown, and forces us to confront our deepest confusions, uncertainties and fears. But with faith and courage, every step --- even the uncertain ones --- becomes a part of a holy journey.

Let us remember: we are not alone. God walks with us. Christ is our Bread. And the Holy Spirit prepares the soil of our hearts --- if we let Him clear our confusion, conquer our fear, and plant His peace.

"Do not fear the future. God is already there." - Saint Padre Pio

Day 1 Reflection, Quotes & Questions

Reflection: The journey from the "slavery" of our past, fears, or aimlessness into the freedom of a God-given purpose is a walk of faith. It requires courage to step into the unknown, trusting that God is guiding our steps and that He Himself is our sustenance on the way.

Key Quotes:

• "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." - Nelson Mandela

• "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr.

• "Do not fear the future. God is already there." - St. Padre Pio

Reflective Questions:

1. What is the "Egypt" – the familiar comfort or slavery – that God might be calling me to leave behind?

2. Where in my life right now do I feel confusion, disorientation, or fear about the future? Can I name it and bring it to God in prayer?

3. Looking at the Parable of the Sower: What kind of soil is my heart most like today? What are the "thorns" or "rocks" that prevent God's word from taking deep root?

Day 2 – From the Unknown towards Revelation: Source of Hope

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, did not have a single moment of a dramatic divine revelation from Jesus like Saint Paul did on the road to Damascus or Moses on Sinai. Instead, the way Jesus revealed Himself to Ignatius was through a gradual interior transformation that began after a serious injury and continued through deep spiritual experiences. It was a process and this is how God revealed himself to his people during the Exodus.

At Sinai, the people of Israel stand before something they do not yet understand: God's self-revelation. The mountain trembles, the clouds descend, and Moses becomes the bridge --- the one who listens to God and speaks to the people, and vice versa. This moment is not just about spectacle; it is about God who desires relationship, and who reveals Himself in a covenant, in truth, and ultimately in love. And this means that God doesn't just speak, He also wants to be heard. And hearing Him requires transformation, change of heart. As St. Ignatius of Loyola reminds us, "He who goes about to reform the world must begin with himself..."

Let us remember, the revelation is not merely information; it is an invitation to interior change. God speaks --- but only those ready to be changed will truly hear.

God chooses to speak through Moses, not out of necessity, but out of love. He desires collaboration with human beings. In the same way, we must choose to cooperate with God to reach the fullness of what we were created for.

And then, in Christ --- the new Moses and much more --- we no longer receive just a message; we receive the Messenger Himself. Jesus does not merely bring the Word of God --- He is the Word.

But Jesus warns: Not all want to see. Not all want to hear. Still, hope remains. Because, the revelation is not a burden; it is an invitation to walk forward with Him, even when we don't yet understand. It is an invitation to trust and hope in God who is love.

"Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God." -- attribute to St. Ignatius of Loyola.

In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus explains to His disciples that He speaks in parables because not everyone is ready to receive the full truth. Some eyes are closed, some ears are shut, and some hearts are hardened --- not by accident, but by choice. They are afraid of the truth, not because it isn't beautiful, but because it demands something inconvenient: conversion, change, and commitment.

To truly listen and see --- to be open to revelation--- means to live with a heart that is willing to be transformed, and eyes that are willing to look beyond the immediate reality or beyond what is comfortable.

As Pope Benedict XVI said, "The one who has hope lives differently." Hope is not passive. It transforms how we see revelation --- not as threat, but as promise.

The movie Brutalist closes with the following quote:

"Whatever they try to tell you or sell you, it is about the destination --- not the journey!"

As a child, I played many sports, but football was my passion. I always played to win. In every game I would give everything. Hence, I couldn't stand my teammates who just "enjoyed the game" but didn't care if we won or not. I wasn't playing just to pass time --- I played for a purpose.

Imagine this:

• A student who enjoys university life but never earns a diploma.

• An employee who loves the office culture and work atmosphere but lets the company go bankrupt.

• A person who claims to love someone but never fully commits.

Would we say their journey had meaning or purpose? Or would we call it incomplete?The journey has beauty, yes --- but the destination gives it meaning.

As Christians, we are not people wandering aimlessly through life. We are people on a journey --- yes --- but a journey with a goal: union with God, resurrection, eternal life.

Without hope that looks towards our final destination, faith becomes sentimental and void. It's not about just being spiritual, or kind, or open-minded. It's about living with a hope that is anchored in eternity --- a hope that gives us courage to sacrifice, to endure, to believe.

St. Teresa of Avila once said:

"Hope, o my soul, hope. You know neither the day nor the hour. Watch carefully, for everything passes quickly, even though your impatience makes doubtful what is certain, and turns a very short time into a long one."

Life can and should be enjoyed. But only when lived in light of the destination does it become truly meaningful. Otherwise, we risk never arriving.

Yesterday, we asked if we were ready to step into the unknown. Today, we are asked if we are ready to see, to listen, and to receive the One who waits for us --- not to terrify us, but to reveal Himself to us and to invite us into the covenant with Him.

And revelation and covenant are not the end but the beginning of a very special call. A call to relationship. A call to commitment. A call that needs to be responded.

Let us, then, open our hearts, our ears, and our eyes --- to see and hear what the Lord is revealing and what He is calling us for. Let us fix our eyes not just on the beauty of the present moment, but on the promise that lies ahead.

As St. John Paul II reminded us:

"We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son."

For the God who revealed Himself on Mount Sinai now reveals Himself in the face of Christ --- and calls us to follow Him, not only through the unknown, but all the way to the joy of heaven.

Day 2 Reflection, Quotes & Questions

Reflection: God does not reveal Himself merely to inform us, but to invite us into a transformative relationship. This revelation is a source of hope, anchoring our journey not in the passing comforts of the world, but in the eternal destination of union with Him.

Key Quotes:

• "Act as if everything depended on you; trust as if everything depended on God." - Attributed to St. Ignatius

• "The one who has hope lives differently." - Pope Benedict XVI

• "We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us..." - St. John Paul II

Reflective Questions:

1. How is God inviting me to a deeper transformation of heart? What might He be asking me to change to hear Him better?

2. Do I live my Christian life more for the comfort of the "journey" or with a clear focus on the eternal "destination"? How does that hope shape my daily choices?

3. Where do I need to open my eyes and ears more fully to God's revelation in my life, in Scripture, and in the Church?

Day 3 – From Revelation to Glory: Through Sacrificial Love

There are moments or periods in life that demand everything from us --- complete dedication, deep love, total sacrifice and all that - by our free choice! - because true freedom isn't mere license to do anything, but the capacity to choose the good. A sense of purpose helps a person use their freedom responsibly, aligning their choices with something greater than impulse or momentary desire.

And we surely admire those who are ready to commit in such a way, who carry the responsibility of representing something greater than themselves, instead of being opportunists.

For many athletes, playing for the national team is the pinnacle of honour: to represent not just oneself, but one's people, culture, and nation. It is not just a career highlight, but a matter of identity and pride.

For others, the call to defend one's country, to serve with one's life, is the highest privilege and a sacred duty.

We could say something similar about representing our family, school, or community- people carry names, values, and legacies that they strive to honor. At the same time this is the most beautiful expression of freedom - to give yourself to something worthwhile---love, truth, service, faith. Purpose calls freedom out of selfishness and into meaningful relationship with others.

So, today we have to ask ourselves:

What about representing and giving ourselves to God? How much effort and sacrifice we are ready to go through for God's sake? How far does our love for God go? How deeply do we identify with the mission of being His disciples in the world?

St. Ignatius of Loyola knew what it meant to live for worldly glory. As a young man, he was ambitious, proud, and drawn to military fame. His early identity was built on reputation, honour, and success --- in many ways, much like James and John in today's Gospel.

But then came his conversion, sparked during his recovery from a war injury. In that forced stillness, he read the lives of the saints and the Gospels --- and slowly began to ask:

'What if I gave my life not for my own glory, but for God's?'

From that point on, everything changed. Ignatius didn't lose his passion or drive --- rather, he redirected them completely to Christ.

His motto, Ad majorem Dei gloriam, wasn't just a phrase --- it became his entire life's orientation. Thus:

• his spiritual exercises were a roadmap for discerning God's will;

• his founding of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) was rooted in total obedience to Christ and service to the Church;

• he taught others to find God in all things, to seek greater love, deeper humility, and selfless action.

For Ignatius, God's glory wasn't a distant ideal --- it became his daily mission.

In today's passage from Matthew' Gospel, we meet two disciples --- James and John --- who, through their mother, ask Jesus for seats of honour in His kingdom. They want glory, recognition, authority. On the surface, it may seem bold --- perhaps even admirable.

But what they are asking reveals a fundamental misunderstanding:

• they see Jesus' mission as triumph without sacrifice,

• kingship without the cross,

• glory without the garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus does not scold them for wanting to be near Him --- but He does redirect their desire:

"You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?"

To share in Christ's glory means to share in His suffering, His servanthood, and His self-giving.

It's not that God is against greatness --- He simply redefines it:

"Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant... just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

True greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by how high we climb, but by how low we are willing to go in love.

This message is at the heart of Christian discipleship.

We all seek meaning, value, identity. But the Gospel teaches us that glory is not seized --- it is received, and it comes through sacrificial love.

St. Paul reminds us in his 2 Letter to the Corinthians:

"We carry this treasure in clay jars... so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us... always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies."

What does this look like?

• It means choosing love when resentment is easier.

• Serving when no one is watching.

• Giving generously when it costs.

• Forgiving when it hurts.

• Living for the glory of God, even when it means letting go of our own.

And let it be clear - this is not weakness --- it is the strongest love imaginable.

Ignatius, like James and John, once misunderstood glory.

But through encounter with Christ, he allowed his ambition to be purified, his pride to be transformed, and his life to be reoriented toward a love bigger than himself.

He became not a seeker of comfort or success, but a servant, a leader, a pilgrim --- one who lived and taught others to seek "the greater glory of God" above all else.

His journey teaches us:

We don't need to erase our passions --- we need to redeem them.

We don't stop dreaming --- we dream with Christ.

We don't avoid sacrifice --- we embrace it with joy, knowing it leads to resurrection and glory.

St. Ignatius embarked on a journey. On the way he met Lord Jesus who transformed his view on life and his future. And then inevitably transformed him from within.

Be not afraid of dramatic events in your life, perhaps God has something much bigger waiting for you if just open your arms to receive it.

Let us leave this triduum not with mere inspiration and good feelings, but with deep intention.

• Let us reject shallow ambitions for status, and pursue the glory of God through love and service.

• Let us not fear the cup of Christ, but drink from it with faith, knowing it leads to joy.

• Let us, with St. Ignatius, say with our lives:

"Take it, Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will... give me only your love and your grace, for that is enough for me."

And let everything we do --- at home, at work, in our hearts and in our world --- be done ad majorem Dei gloriam -- to the greater glory of God! Amen!

Day 3 Reflection, Quotes & Questions

Reflection: True glory is found not in power, status, or recognition, but in sacrificial love and humble service. Following Christ means drinking from His cup—embracing the sacrifices required by love for the sake of God's greater glory, which leads to true and eternal joy.

Key Quotes:

• "Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant..." - Matthew 20:26

• "We carry this treasure in clay jars..." - 2 Corinthians 4:7

• "Take, Lord, receive..." - The Suscipe Prayer of St. Ignatius

Reflective Questions:

1. In what areas of my life (work, family, community) is God calling me to move from a desire for personal glory to a desire for His greater glory?

2. What is the "cup" (challenge, sacrifice, or suffering) that Jesus is asking me to drink from right now? How can I embrace it with faith instead of fear?

3. How can I make the Suscipe Prayer my own? What liberty, memory, understanding, or will do I need to offer to God today to receive more of His love and grace?