1 August, Tuesday — Loving through the trials

Aug 1 – Memorial for St. Alphonsus Liguori, bishop, religious founder, doctor

Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) vowed early to never to waste a moment of his life, and lived that way for over 90 years. As a lawyer, he had his own practice by age 21, and was a leading lawyer in Naples. He never attended court without having attended Mass first.

As he matured and learned more of the world, he liked it less, and finally felt a call to religious life. He was ordained at age 29. As preacher and home missioner around Naples, St. Alphonsus was noted for his simple, clear, direct style of preaching, and his gentle, understanding way in the confessional. He was often opposed by Church officials for a perceived laxity toward sinners, and by government officials who opposed anything religious. He founded the Redemptoristines women’s order and the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists).

As bishop, St. Alphonsus worked to reform the clergy and revitalise the faithful in a diocese with a bad reputation. The royal government threatened to disband his Redemptorists, claiming that they were covertly carrying on the work of the Jesuits, who had been suppressed. Calling on his knowledge of the Congregation, his background in theology, and his skills as a lawyer, St. Alphonsus defended the Redemptorists so well that they obtained the king‘s approval.

• Patron Saint Index

Exo 14:5-18
Mt 12:38-42

…but forgive us our faults and our sins, and adopt us as your heritage.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, in the blink of an eye, seven months have passed. I look back and wonder how I have made it through all the challenges that have come my way. And I cherish the times that I have spent with my ministry members in CSC and well as my choir in the parish of St Francis Xavier. Over these past few weeks, God has brought into the light for me how being part of a community that prays is essential (not important, ESSENTIAL!) if we want to grow in faith and appreciate His hand in our lives.

Just within my immediate circle, I have encountered those who are afflicted with life-threatening conditions, whose family members are coming to terms with the inevitable. And it has been painful for them. I have constantly asked (and I am sure they and their family members have too), “Why??” Why do these people have to suffer? These good, faithful, God-fearing brothers and sisters who put God at the centre of their lives. WHY?!

None of us can ever fully understand God’s plans for us, and for our closest and dearest. We just have to trust that He is good, loving and merciful. And that one day, He will bring things into the light. I can only surmise that when the time comes, He will have forgiven us and wiped the slate clean so that we can joyfully enter His Kingdom and be reunited with all those who have gone before us.

And what of those we leave behind? How are we to console them and to comfort them in their time of grief? I have been pondering a lot and am at a loss for words. I can only pray that they find peace, solace, and look towards God with renewed hope. That He has indeed taken care of those whom He has called home and that they look down upon us now, pining for us to join them. Lately, I have taken to looking closely at the space around and above the altar during Mass, hoping to catch a glimpse of my late father. Because I miss him terribly…. yes, he had his faults, but he also knew my heart (I came across an old email he sent to me when I had to make a sacrifice for the good of my family nearly 10 years ago). It was one of the rare times he actually emailed me to say ‘Well done’, even though he admitted he did not understand the situation fully.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, ultimately, our God is merciful, loving and forgiving. The countless testimonies I have heard when ministering at retreats all end on the same note — that He LOVES us unconditionally, and is just waiting for us to surrender our heart to Him. And the only way to connect with Him is through prayer. So let us take a pause amidst our ‘hecti-vity’ and just for one minute (or 5, 15, 30) appreciate all that He has done for us this year.   

(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)

Prayer: Our Father who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Thanksgiving: Lord, thank you immensely, for all that you do for us and all that you grace us with. Help us to see You in our sufferings and in our sorrows. Help us to recognise your light in our lives.