Saturday of the 11th week in ordinary time

2 Cor. 12: 1-10      Mathew 6: 24-34

Theme: Faithful discipleship

Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a religious. He was a man who did not live for a very long time, but whose unwavering faith and commitment to the service of God and others, continues to challenge us as Christians in our own time. He exemplified the virtues of purity, humility, and selflessness from a young age. St. Aloysius chose a life of asceticism in a world that often prioritized wealth and power. At the tender age of nine, he began to feel the call to a deeper relationship with Christ, and by the time he was seventeen, he joined the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. His decision to embrace this path was not merely a personal aspiration; it was a radical commitment to serve the marginalized and the suffering.

St. Aloysius is remembered not only for his intense spirituality but also for his dedication to the sick during a plague outbreak in Rome. He volunteered to care for those afflicted, displaying remarkable courage and compassion. His life teaches us the importance of serving others, especially those who are marginalized and suffering. Even as he attended to the sick, he himself fell ill, and it was there among those he served that he died at the age of 23.

Dear friends in Christ, as we celebrate St. Aloysius Gonzaga, we are called to ask ourselves some very important questions, can we live out our faith in a way that mirrors him and Christ in our daily lives? Can we embrace a spirit of service? Are we willing to reach out to those in need, even at our own expense? The saint we celebrate today teaches us that true martyrdom is not merely about death for the faith but living for others in a spirit of humility and love. In this world where self-interest often prevails, his life stands as a reminder to prioritize our commitments to Christ.

As we celebrate his memorial today, let us invoke his intercession and strive to embody his virtues, especially purity of heart and a deepened commitment to serve. May our lives reflect the light of Christ in a world that is often dark, and may we continually seek to bring hope and healing to those around us. May almighty God bless you as you strive to do this in your daily life, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.