Saturday 1 August
Saint Alphonsus Mary de' Liguori, Bishop, Doctor
Saturday of week 17 in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12Today’s Gospel recounts the martyrdom of John the Baptist, whose unwavering fidelity to the truth cost him his life. Yet the tragedy is not only that one man was silenced, but that many others became instruments of silencing the truth. Herod chose convenience over conscience, Herodias allowed resentment to become vengeance, and those present remained silent before injustice. The Gospel invites us to examine not only whether we speak the truth, but whether our attitudes, words, or actions discourage, suppress, or distort it. We can become instruments of silencing the truth whenever we refuse correction, spread falsehood, manipulate others, remain silent in the face of injustice, or reject those who lovingly challenge us to conversion. Truth often makes us uncomfortable because it calls us to change, yet only truth sets us free. Alphonsus Liguori dedicated his life to proclaiming the Gospel with clarity and compassion, convinced that God’s truth is always an expression of His merciful love. As disciples of Christ, we are called not only to defend the truth but also to ensure that our lives never become a barrier to it. When we welcome the truth with humility and proclaim it with charity, we allow Christ, who is the Truth, to speak through us. Let’s reflect: Do my words, attitudes, and choices help the truth of Christ to be heard, or do they, knowingly or unknowingly, become instruments that silence it?
Don Gioegio