Today, August 1
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
The life of Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) virtually spanned the 18th century. Born in Naples of distinguished parents, he demonstrated intellectual ability at an early age and became a doctor of civil law at 17. His brilliant career as a lawyer suddenly came to an end when, in 1723, he lost a very important case by overlooking a small point in the evidence. He admitted his error and subsequently resigned.
Ordained in 1726, he soon won a reputation in Naples as a preacher and became widely sought as a confessor. Throughout his life he was committed to preaching such sermons that everyone could profit from them: simple enough to understand and well structured so as to hold the listener's attention. In 1732 he went to Scala and founded an order of mission priests which became the Redemptorists. His famous Moral Theology was published in 1748.
Alphonsus Liguori was known for his great kindness and concern for others. He was made a bishop in 1762 and retired in 1775. He was canonized in 1839 and in 1871 he was named a Doctor of the Church. He is the patron of moral theologians and confessors.
©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
Book of Jeremiah 26,11-16.24.
The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people, "This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears." Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people: "It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city all that you have heard. Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds; listen to the voice of the LORD your God, so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me what you think good and right. But mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens. For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you, to speak all these things for you to hear." Thereupon the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve death; it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us." But Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
Psalms 69(68),15-16.30-31.33-34.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink! May I be rescued from my foes, and from the watery depths. Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me, nor the abyss swallow me up, nor the pit close its mouth over me. I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me. I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving. “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive! For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 14,1-12.
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John, bound (him), and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
Daily Reflection
“No one has ever seen God. The only Son who is at the Father's side, has revealed hom” (Jn 1:18). Divinity is inexpressible and incomprehensible: “No one knows the Father except the Son, and no one knows the Son except the Father” (cf. Mt 11:27) and, similarly, the Holy Spirit knows what is of God... But following this original, blessed divine knowledge, no one has ever known God except those to whom God has revealed himself... Nevertheless, God does not leave us in total ignorance since each one of us possesses the knowledge (sown by him) that God exists. Creation itself, by its cohesiveness and direction, proclaims the splendor of the divine nature (Rm 1:20). Then the Law and the prophets and, afterwards, his only Son, the Lord, “our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pt 1:1), have made known the knowledge of God according as we can understand it. That is why we receive and understand and give ourselves to everything handed on to us by the Law and prophets, the apostles and evangelists. We fix our devotion on that and do not look beyond it. God is good; he sees to it that all is well... Since he knows everything and provides what is suitable for each, he has revealed to us what we need to know and kept from us what we cannot bear. Let us be content with that, then, and remain in it.