Tuesday of the 12th week in the ordinary time
Theme: Authentic witnessing
Today the church celebrates the memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. In his life we see authentic witnessing; he witnessed with both his words and action. He was an aristocrat, and left to join the Jesuits as a member of the Society. He gave up his life for the love of the people he was working with, during the time of an epidemic that broke out. This happened because he was caring for the victims of the epidemic. His life challenges you and I as Christians in our own time, to move away from our comfort zone and reach out to the less privileged and those at the fringe of the society. The love and care we show to such people give them the strength and hope to trust in God and continue to hang on; not minding the difficult situation they have found themselves.
In the life of St. Aloysius we see the depth of his faith and his conviction about God. Also in the 1st reading of today, we see the depth of the faith of Hezekiah the king of Judah. The king of Assyria sent him a message, mocking God and also threatening him with a war. Hezekiah trusted in God and took the letter to God in prayer; at the end of which God gave him victory over the Assyrians, by sending his Angels who went to the camp of the Assyrians and slew their soldiers. This is the same God that we serve; he is still the same yesterday, today and forever. What is that situation in your life at the moment that is threatening your peace of mind? Have you presented it to God in prayer just like king Hezekiah did in faith and God gave him victory. It is time to take that situation to God in prayer and faith; and see him manifest his power in that situation. No matter what the situation is at the moment, God will change the narrative of your life; go to him in faith and trust.
Lastly, Jesus tells us in the gospel that we should do to others what we want them to do to us. Let this assertion guide you in all that you do. May almighty God bless you as you do this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.