Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, B.D (1st August, 2018) on the Gospel and
the Memorial
Jer 15:10.16-21;
Ps 58:2-5.10-11.17-18. (R. v. 17);
Matt 13:44-46.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori
(September 27, 1696 - August 1, 1787) was raised by a devout mother. He
received his doctorate at the age of sixteen but later dropped secular life and
was ordained on December 21, 1726. Saint Alphonsus founded the Congregation of
the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) on November 9, 1732. He obeyed the papal
command to accept the see of St. Agatha of the Goths near Naples in 1762. For
thirteen years he fed the poor, instructed families, reorganized the seminary
and religious houses, taught theology, and wrote. His austerities were
rigorous, and he suffered daily the pain from rheumatism. In 1780, he was
tricked into signing a submission for royal approval of his congregation which
altered the original rule. Alphonsus was beatified in 1816, canonized in 1839,
and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871. His writings
on moral, theological, and ascetic matters especially his Moral Theology and
his Glories of Mary had great impact and have survived through the years. He is
the patron of confessors, moral theologians, and the lay apostolate.[1]
Topic: Value of the Treasure/Pearl.
Today’s gospel consists of two parables about the kingdom of
heaven, treasure hidden in a field and pearl of great value. The person who
discovered the hidden treasure in his joy went and sold all that he had and bought
the field. Likewise, the merchant who found the pearl of great value sold
everything he had and bought it.
The value of the treasure and the pearl that made both men put
all their eggs in one basket is worth meditating on. Saint Paul wrote,
...I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing
value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of
all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Phil 3:8).
We recall that these parables are about the kingdom of
heaven. The actions of those men and that of Saint Paul among so many others
tell us that the true value of the treasure and the Pearl is beyond measure. Saint
Paul also quoted the prophet Isaiah, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor
the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1Cor 2:9; cf. Is 64:3). It worth
sacrificing for but it must be total, cf. Matt
19:21; Lk 14:26.
We all have two options, sacrifice everything and inherit
eternal possession beyond measure or hold fast to any transient possession and
forfeit eternal possession beyond measure. Saint Alphonsus Liguori we celebrate
today toed the same part.
Bible Reading: 1Cor 2:6-16; Phil 3:4-11.
Thought for today: There are much more in heaven.
Let us pray: Lord, give us the guts to forfeit everything,
even our lives for your sake – Amen.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori – Pray for us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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