Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bp. D. (01st August, 2020) on the Gospel
and the Memorial
Jer 26:11-16.24;
Ps 68:15-16.30-31.33-34. (R. cf. v. 14);
Matt 14:1-12.
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: When ego becomes centric.
When Herod heard about Jesus, he said that John the Baptist
had been raised from the dead. He bound and imprisoned him because John
condemned his adulterous union with his brother Philip’s wife. Herod would have
killed him but he feared the crowd who regarded him as a prophet. However, the daughter
of Herodias’ dance on his birthday made him to promise on oath to grant
whatever she might ask. Following her mother’s prompting she asked, “Give me
the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” Although Herod was grieved yet
he instructed that John’s head be given to the girl because of his oath and his
guests. The girl took it to her mother.
When Herod could think about someone else, he feared the
crowds. He could command that John’s head be given to the girl because he was
thinking about himself alone. Otherwise, what else could have removed the fear
of the crowd in him? His thought of his oath and what his guests would think of
him carried the day. The anger in Herodias set fire that could not be quenched
by Herod’s feeling of extreme sadness.
Often we see both Herod and Herodias at play in us. Let no
one allow anger to lead him/her into sin, cf. Eph 4:26. And “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow
to anger” (Jas 1:19). We are nothing
without God, cf. 2Cor 3:5. We ought
to follow the example of Saint Alphonsus Liguori who never forgot others and worked
tirelessly for them.
Bible Reading: 2Cor 4:1-10.
Thought for today: Worship God alone.
Let us pray: May God help us to do His will always
– Amen.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori – Pray for us.
You are free to share this reflection with
others if you consider it worthy.
For more
homilies (reflections):
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
Tel: +234 813 305 0302
May God bless you all+
Post a Comment
Post a Comment