Scripture
Isaiah 1: 15-17a
When you stretch out your hands,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
I will not listen;
your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
remove the evil of your doings
from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
learn to do good;
seek justice,
rescue the oppressed,
defend the orphan,
plead for the widow.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
True Justice, Lasting Peace
The presider at Mass on Independence Day in the United States has a great choice of readings. I have chosen the passage above for today’s reflection.
Pope Leo quoted Isaiah 1:15 in his homily for Palm Sunday. He added: “Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them.” This passage of Isaiah goes on to say: “Make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice…” Its message is a good one for us as we celebrate this important anniversary of our independence as a nation.
The Mass prayers for this feast have similar things on which we do well to reflect today: the second collect says, “For what has been achieved we give you thanks and for the work that still remains we ask your help” and asks that “our country may share your blessings with all the peoples of the earth.” The first prayer over the offerings asks that the Lord “lead us to true justice and lasting peace.” And the first prayer after communion asks that we “may work together to build the city of lasting peace.” This is the vision of the Lord Jesus and this Gospel which the first preface calls “our task for today and a promise for tomorrow.” This vision is not a political one but an indication of the authentic vocation and mission of Christians as good and faithful citizens in our society and every society.
—Fr. Bob Hagan, SJ, is a member of a community of senior Jesuits at Saint Ignatius Hall in Black Jack, Missouri. He does limited spiritual direction, mostly online; gives sacramental care to the lay Catholics at the adjacent retirement community; writes occasional reflections for Jesuit Prayer; posts various daily items and a longer weekly reflection on the Sunday Mass readings on his Facebook site at Bob Hagan SJ; and drives fellow Jesuits who no longer drive wherever they want to go.
Ignatian Prayer
Jul 4, 2026
Prayer
Father of all nations and ages,
we recall the day when our country claimed it place among the family of nations;
for what has been achieved we give you thanks,
for the work that still remains we ask your help;
and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation,
grant that, under your providence,
our country may share your blessings with all peoples of the earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
—Second Collect for Independence Day in the United States of America
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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