Good morning, Good People,
May the Lord give you peace and blessings in the Holy Spirit. It is 01st August 2025. We celebrate St. Alphonsus Mary de’Liguori, Bishop, Doctor. We reflet on Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37 and Matthew 13:54-58
St. Alphonsus Mary de’Liguori encourages us: “Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love.”
Life becomes a celebration when we discover purpose and meaning in our living. A personal day of rest is not merely inactivity, but a profound celebration of individuality—an opportunity to bring ourselves, wholly and honestly, before God. Likewise, communal rest is a celebration of togetherness, allowing us to encounter others without losing the sacred intimacy we share with the Lord. Whatever is first—whether of the land, the mind, or the body—rightfully belongs to God.
We rejoice at the birth of a person. But do we remain joyful as that person grows, excels, and shines with God-given brilliance? Often, we hesitate to celebrate the success of others—even our siblings, friends, and family. And it becomes even more difficult with strangers, foreigners, or guests in our communities. We struggle to honour those who rise for truth, justice, peace, and the common good. Instead of support, we may shoot arrows of anger, envy, or slander when someone’s stand makes us uncomfortable.
But whether we like it or not, people do grow—and often it is the weight of pressure that forms the treasure within. Condemnation, criticism, and gossip can never strip away someone’s inner goodness, but they do shrink our own capacity to glow, grow, give, and heal.
Though we know the power of God, it becomes tangible only through our faith in Jesus. Familiarity, however, can dull our reverence. When we become too used to Jesus, we risk taking God’s presence for granted.
There is a piercing pain in rejection. Jesus Himself faced it:
“Prophets are not without honour except in their own country and in their own house.” (Mt. 13:57)
Life becomes a true celebration when I can delight in the goodness I see in others. May we come to recognize the presence of Christ in the person of Jesus—and in one another.
God bless you.