Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time. Year II (St. Alphonsus Mary De Liguori, Bishop/Doctor). Reflection by Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)
Jer. 26:11-16,24; Ps. 69:15-16,30-31,33-34; Matt.14:1-12
Herod was so sure Jesus was a reincarnated John the Baptist. After all, Herod himself had been the one who arrested John the Baptist, and had him beheaded just because his daughter, urged by his wife Herodias, asked for John’s head on a platter as reward for dancing like a demon. Anytime John’s death is read about, we not only see how foolish Herod was for swearing an oath he couldn’t keep, we also see the extent an evil woman can go in trying to secure earthly vanities. Thus, John died for speaking the truth.
Unlike the three characters (Herod, Herodias, and Herodias’ daughter) in today’s Gospel reading, St. Alphonsus De Liguori, whose memorial we celebrate today was was already a renowned lawyer when he felt God’s call. But he abandoned his law practice to become a priest. Though his family objected, he forged ahead, and later formed the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). Through the many chapels of devotion he established, and the way he used his many talents, many more souls were converted. Like Jeremiah, and John the Baptist, Alphonsus gave his all for the sake of the Gospel. Can we do the same?
Good morning dear. God bless your day ahead. St Alphonsus De Liguori, pray for us.
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