ad maiorem Dei gloriam

Recently, my coworkers and I have had a string of days that are rather... more stressful than usual. Today was another one of those days. Partway through the day, I found myself praying to St. Ignatius of Loyola - whose feast day is today, July 31. Though he isn't one of the patron saints of scientists, he was a brilliant AND holy man, and he did found the Jesuit order, which is of course renowned for its work in education. But I wasn't asking for his help today simply because he was an exceptionally smart dude who founded a great religious order that has been shaping minds all over the world for a few hundred years. ;-)

No, it was really because, in addition to founding the Jesuit order, St. Ignatius gave the order its motto - ad maiorem Dei gloriam - "for the greater glory of God." I've written about this before (well... here, too), but tonight I need to write about it again, perhaps mostly because I need the reminder. St. Ignatius believed that, so long as we are not working for evil, our work is good - and basically, ordered toward our salvation if we work with the ultimate aim of bringing glory to God. How hard is it to actually put that into practice?!?!?!!! By my estimation, it's definitely easier some days than others. 

Today was one of those "others," and I certainly struggled to put ad maiorem Dei gloriam into practice. 

So here's to tomorrow. St. Ignatius, pray for us. 

+Peace and good.