SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST 2020
SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
YEAR II II
MEMORIAL OF ST. ALPHONSUS DE
LIGUORI
GOD KNOWS HIS PLANS FOR US ALL
Yesterday we celebrated the
memorial of St Ignatius of Loyola who left his military career to become a priest
and founded the Jesuits. Today we celebrate another example of God's guiding
light in human life, St Alphonsus. He was an exceptionally intelligent young
man who obtained his doctorate in law at the age of 16. He was doing very well
in life and many looked up to him. Nevertheless, he knew within him that his
heart yearned for something else. He was moved to be zealous and concerned
about the spiritual needs of the people rather than their temporal greed. When
he lost a case as a lawyer, he believed that it was God's message to him to do
what his heart truly yearns for. He left his profession at the age of 27 to
study for the priesthood. He was ordained and later founded a religious
congregation known as the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists).
He laboured for 20 years moving around for the work of winning souls for the
kingdom of God. This was what made him happy and fulfilled.
When God calls and chooses, he
also gives the grace one needs to withstand the hurdles that comes with it. It
was not an easy one for St. Alphonsus, but God never abandoned him.
This is also what we see in the
first reading and gospel reading of today. Jeremiah was faithful to his
preaching and prophecy as a prophet. He told them the truth about their sinful
lives and told them to repent. They got angry with him and wanted to kill him.
In the gospel reading, John the
Baptist told Herod the truth that it was wrong for him to divorce his wife and
marry his brother's wife. This cost him his life. He died for the truth, he
died at his duty post. Truth hurts. When you live a straight forward life and
tell people the truth, it hurts them and they want to destroy you. God is
always on the side of truth and posterity judges everything and everyone. If
there is something that should connect the priesthood, Lawyers and Military
personnel, it is truth and justice. We can also apply it to our lives no matter
what we do. God help us. Amen.
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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