Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Lectionary: 406
Readings: Jeremiah 26:11–16, 24; Psalm 69:15–16, 30–31, 33–34; Matthew 14:1–12
Read today’s Scripture passages from the USCCB
Jeremiah and John the Baptist remained faithful when proclaiming God’s truth and placed their lives in danger. Their courage challenges us to examine whether fear, social pressure, or personal comfort keeps us from living and speaking according to our faith.
Speaking the truth can be difficult, especially when the people around us do not want to hear it.
We may fear rejection, criticism, conflict, or the loss of a relationship. Sometimes remaining silent appears safer than standing for what is right. Yet today’s readings show us two men who refused to allow fear to determine their faithfulness.
Jeremiah and John the Baptist did not speak harshly to create controversy. They spoke because God’s truth mattered more to them than personal safety or public approval.
Their courage asks us an important question: What controls our decisions—faithfulness to God or fear of other people?
The Word
In the first reading, the priests and prophets accuse Jeremiah of deserving death because he has spoken against Jerusalem. Jeremiah does not retreat, change his message, or attempt to protect himself with clever excuses.
Instead, he explains that the Lord sent him. He calls the people to reform their ways and listen to God. Then he places his life in their hands while warning them about the consequences of shedding innocent blood.
Jeremiah’s confidence does not come from believing that nothing painful will happen. It comes from knowing that he has been obedient to God.
The responsorial psalm expresses the prayer of someone surrounded by danger: “Lord, in your great love, answer me.” The psalmist does not deny the struggle. He brings his fear, poverty, and distress directly to God.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist confronts Herod about his unlawful relationship with Herodias. Herod imprisons John but hesitates to kill him because the people consider John a prophet.
During Herod’s birthday celebration, however, pride and public pressure take control. After making a reckless promise in front of his guests, Herod orders John’s execution. Although distressed by the request, he is more concerned about appearing weak before others than about doing what is right.
John loses his earthly life, but he does not lose his integrity. Herod protects his reputation, but he becomes imprisoned by fear, pride, and guilt.
Reflection
Today’s readings present two very different kinds of fear.
Jeremiah faces the fear of death but remains faithful. Herod faces the fear of embarrassment and abandons what he knows is right.
Jeremiah is physically vulnerable, yet spiritually free. Herod possesses authority, wealth, and influence, yet he is controlled by the opinions of the people around him.
This contrast invites us to examine the pressures influencing our choices.
We may never stand before rulers or face imprisonment because of our faith. However, we encounter smaller moments of decision every day. We may be tempted to remain silent when someone is being treated unfairly. We may avoid admitting that a behavior is harmful because we do not want to offend anyone. We may participate in conversations, entertainment, or activities that pull us away from God because we want to belong.
Faithful courage does not mean speaking without kindness or judging everyone around us. Truth must be joined with humility, compassion, and love. But love does not require us to pretend that everything is acceptable. Genuine love seeks what is good, even when acknowledging the truth feels uncomfortable.
Herod’s downfall began when he allowed pride to make a promise he should never have made. He then allowed embarrassment to prevent him from correcting that mistake. One poor decision led to another because he valued his image more than his conscience.
We can fall into the same pattern. After making a mistake, pride may tell us that admitting it will make us look weak. Yet repentance is not weakness. Turning back to God is an act of courage and spiritual freedom.
Jeremiah shows us another way. He does not attempt to control the outcome. He simply remains faithful to the responsibility God has given him. His example reminds us that obedience belongs to us, while the outcome belongs to God.
Today we also remember Saint Alphonsus Liguori, a bishop, teacher, and Doctor of the Church known for his pastoral wisdom and teaching about Christian moral life. His ministry emphasized God’s mercy and encouraged people to trust in Christ rather than surrender to despair. His life reminds us that truth and mercy are not enemies. God’s truth reveals what needs to change, while God’s mercy gives us the grace to change it.
When we must face a difficult truth, we can ask Jesus for the wisdom to speak with love, the humility to examine ourselves first, and the courage to remain faithful regardless of how others respond.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Give me the courage to remain faithful when following You becomes difficult. Keep me from allowing fear, pride, or the desire for approval to control my decisions.
Help me recognize the truth You are placing before me. When I need to speak, give me words shaped by wisdom, humility, and love. When I have made a mistake, give me the courage to admit it, repent, and begin again.
Protect me from becoming more concerned about my reputation than my relationship with You. Like Jeremiah and John the Baptist, help me trust that obedience to You is more valuable than acceptance from the world.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori, pray for me that I may trust in God’s mercy and remain faithful to His truth.
Amen.
Call to Action
Consider one situation in which fear of another person’s reaction has kept you from doing what you believe is right.
Bring that situation to Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to show you whether you should speak, act, apologize, establish a boundary, or simply remain faithful in silence. Then take one small step guided by truth, mercy, and love.
