Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial of
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Rel. (21st June, 2017) on the Gospel and the Memorial
(Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary
Time (I))
2Cor 9:6-11;
Ps 111:1-4.9. (R. v.1);
Matt 6:1-6.16-18.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (March 9, 1568 – June 21, 1591)
was an Italian aristocrat who became a member of the Society of Jesus after a
four-year contest with his father who wanted him to be a military hero. While caring
for the victims of an epidemic that struck Rome in 1591, he caught the disease
and died a student. He was beatified on October 19, 1605, by Pope Paul V and
canonized on December 31, 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII, all in Rome. He is the
patron Saint of young students, Christian youth, Jesuit scholastics, the blind,
AIDS patients, and AIDS care-givers.
Topic: God is the target.
Audience ought to determine the medium of communication. Think
of one whose target audience are old men and women in remote villages where
there is no electricity using the television to pass information or another
posting on the internet for people who do not have access to the internet.
Today’s gospel consists of Jesus’ teachings on almsgiving,
prayer, and fasting. His introduction summarized the whole teachings, “Beware
of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them: for then
you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Whoever is giving alms, praying,
and fasting must remember that it is God who rewards and as a result use the
proper medium.
God does not need any publicity. He knows everything, including
the secrets of the heart, cf. 1Jn 3:20;
Ps 44:21; Rom 2:16. And He will judge
and reward all according to their deeds, cf. Jer 25:14; Ezek 36:19; Rev 2:23. We all must give account to Him,
cf. Heb 4:13.
The best people can afford is to say good things of a person
and probably give awards that do not take one to anywhere, cf. 1Cor 9:25. Doing good works for others
to see is worse than going into a competition that worth millions of dollars
just to be hailed by people. We have much more in store, cf. 1Cor 2:9. Whoever wants to get the real
benefits of good works must channel them properly. Let us follow the example of
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga who washed and made the beds of patients irrespective of
status, colour, race, and so on.
Bible Reading: Heb 11:23-28.
Thought for today: Work for the right reward.
Let us pray: May God help us live our lives
entirely for Him – Amen.
Saint Aloysius Gonzaga – Pray for us.
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