Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bp. D. (01st August, 2019) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
Ex 40:16-21.34-38;
Ps 83:3-6.8.11. (R.v.2);
Matt 13:47-53.
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
accepted 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: Separate from evil.
In today’s gospel, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a
net thrown into the sea which caught every kind of fish. When it was full, it
was drawn ashore, and the good ones are put into baskets but the bad thrown
out. Similarly, at the end of the age, the angels will separate the evil from
the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth. Note that terrible furnace of fire appeared
again today.
The church is of saints and sinners. However, all must strive
to be what we are called to be, saints of God, cf. Rom 1:6, 7; 1Cor 1:2. God blessed every person with all each needs
to be good according to each person’s ability, cf. Matt 25:15; Eph 1:3. So being good or bad is not a matter of
ability but of choice, cf. Deut 30:19.
All who proves to be good not minding individual abilities will receive the
same verdict, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful
over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master” (Matt 25:21, 23).
Unless one separates him/herself from evil, he/she will be
separated from the righteous and be thrown into the terrible furnace of fire.
Our prayer ought to be in line with the Psalmist, “One thing have I asked of
the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all
the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his
temple” (Ps 27:4).
Bible Reading: Matt 25:31-46.
Thought for today: Decide wisely today.
Let us pray: Lord, “Restore to me the joy of your
salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit” – Amen (Ps 51:12).
Saint Alphonsus Liguori – Pray for us.
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