St. Alphonsus Liguori teach us：

Alphonsus left a successful legal career to serve the poor,

reject harsh religious fear, and invite everyday conversion through accessible prayer.

Standing up for God's ways even when it brings personal cost or social rejection.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24

Then the priests

And the prophets said to the leaders of the people:

"This man must die for he has spoken against the city as you have heard with your own ears!"

Jeremiah replied, "I have been sent by Yahweh to prophesy against this house and this city all that you have heard.

Hence, reform your ways and your deeds and

obey Yahweh your God that he may change his mind and not bring upon you the destruction he had intended.

As for me I am in your hands; do with me whatever you consider just and right. But know that I am innocent;

 

and if you take my life you commit a crime that is a curse on yourselves, on the city and the people.

In truth it was Yahweh who sent me to say all that I said in your hearing."

Then the leaders, backed by the people, said to the priests and the prophets,

"This man does not deserve death; he spoke to us in the Name of Yahweh."

As for Jeremiah he was befriended by Ahikam, son of Shaphan,

and was not handed over to those who wanted him put to death.

 

 Ps 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 14:1-12

At that time, the reports about Jesus reached king Herod. And he said to his servants,

"This man is John the Baptist. John has risen from the dead,

and that is why miraculous powers are at work in John."

Herod had, in fact, ordered that John be arrested, bound in chains and put in prison,

because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had said to Herod,

"It is not right for you to have her as your wife." Herod wanted to kill him but he did not dare,

because he feared the people, who regarded John as a prophet.

 

On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced among the guests;

 she so delighted Herod that he promised under oath to give her anything she asked for.

The girl, following the advice of her mother, said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist, here, on a dish."

The king was very displeased, but because he had made his promise under oath,

in the presence of his guests, he ordered it to be given to her. So he had John beheaded in prison,

and his head brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother.

Then John's disciples came, took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Courage to stand for the truth.

The Gospel reading recounts the story of John the Baptist's martyrdom – a powerful testament to courage,

conviction, and faithfulness to God's truth. John's unwavering commitment to proclaiming God's justice,

even in the face of opposition and death, is a profound example for us to follow.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori, whose memorial we celebrate today, embodied this boldness in his ministry.

Like John, Alphonsus was unafraid to challenge societal norms and speak out against the injustices of his time.

 

His compassion for the poor and marginalized drove him to establish the Redemptorists,

a congregation committed to preaching the Gospel to the most abandoned.

 In reflecting on this Gospel and St. Alphonsus's life,

we are reminded that being disciples of Christ often requires courage – courage to stand for the truth,

to serve the marginalized and the forgotten, and to remain faithful amidst trials.

May the examples of John the Baptist and St. Alphonsus inspire us to live with conviction,

love, and a fearless commitment to bringing God's mercy to others.