A WORD FOR TODAY 1 AUGUST 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY

SPEAK THE TRUTH AND BE READY TO DIE FOR IT

"For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; because John said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her.”(Matthew 14:3-4)

God is love and He is the creator and maker of all things, visible and invisible. He sent His Son our Lord Lord Jesus Christ into the world, and as the Way, the Truth and the Life and also the light of the world, He has shown us what it means to be in the light and to be His disciple.

To be a follower of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, one must be prepared to pass through trials and persecutions and sometimes it could lead to the death of the individual. However, one thing is certain, God does not abandon those who put their trust in Him and if they die in Him as martyrs, they will also live with Him in heaven.

The first reading and the gospel reading of today have something in common. The people in the first reading plotted against Jeremiah and wanted to kill him simply because he proclaimed the truth which made them uncomfortable and in the gospel reading, John the baptist was killed, because he told the truth to the king. They both suffered for the truth, but they never gave up, instead they remained steadfast until the end.

As Jeremiah was the voice of truth in His time, John the Baptist was the voice of truth in his time also and we are called by virtue of our baptism to be the voice of truth in our own time. We must speak the truth always even if we will be hated by it or be killed by those who are enemies of the truth. We must remain steadfast like saint John the Baptist and Jeremiah and persevere till the end.

The world needs courageous men and women who will be ready to speak the truth and be ready to die for it. The world needs those who will confidently witness for Christ and challenge the ways of the world which is always contrary to the way of God. Speak the truth to your parents and friends and to those in authority, speak the truth to your boss in office, speak the truth to your fellow members in organisation and business. Do not be afraid to suffer for the truth because Jesus will speak for you when the time comes before His Father in heaven.

Today the Church celebrates the memorial of saint Alphosus Liguori(1696-1787). Founder of thd congregation of the redemptorists. He was born into a wealthy family, but after obtaining his doctorate in both Civil and Canon law, he abandoned everything, entered the seminary and was ordained a priest. He spent his life helping the poor and the needy and he made much impact in the church in the area of moral theology. Let us learn from him to be disposed to let God's will be done in our lives.

Good morning dearest one. Smile as you do your work and do have a splendid weekend. May Jesus give you the grace to speak the truth even if you will suffer and die for it. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Meditation: Jeremiah 26:11-16,24/Psalm 69:15-16,30-34/Matthew 14:1-12

Watch-Word: Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Do not let people seal your mouth from speaking the truth with their wealth, gifts and friendship. Speak the truth and die for it and heaven will rejoice and welcome you.

(Saturday of the Seventeenth week in the ordinary time. Year II. Memorial of St. Alphonsus Ligouri)