St Alphonsa Muttathupadathu (1910 – 1946)
Monday of week 17 in Ordinary Time
First reading Exodus 32:15-24,30-34
In today’s reading, the story of the golden calf challenges us to recognize the “idols” we create in our own lives—often shaped by pride, fear, or self-interest. Just as the Israelites built a false god to satisfy their impatience and desire for control, we too can construct our own “golden calves,” which are nothing other than our egos that we nurture and protect at any cost. These idols may not be made of gold, but they manifest in our need for recognition, our refusal to forgive, or our desire to place ourselves at the center instead of God. Saint Alphonsa’s life is a striking contrast to this self-centeredness; she embraced humility, suffering, and self-giving love, allowing God’s grace to shine through her fragility. Today, we are invited to examine our hearts: what false images or self-made egos are we clinging to, and are we willing to let them be broken so that God alone can reign within us?
Don Giorgio