Monday, August 1, 2022

 Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, bishop and doctor of the Church

(Jeremiah 28:1-17; Matthew 14:13-21)

St. Alphonsus Ligouri is considered the patron of moral theologians.  The Redemptorist Order, which he founded, runs the center of moral theology in Rome.  Called the Alphonsianum after him, it has trained generations of the Church’s best moralists.  Today St. Alphonsus is remembered for having steered a middle course between moral laxists and the rigorists of the eighteenth century.

In the reading from Jeremiah today, the prophet tries to find middle ground in the prediction of what will happen to Jerusalem.  The Babylonians have already invaded the city and carried away much of its ruling class as well as the treasures from Solomon’s temple.  Hananiah, a false prophet, tells the people not to worry.  According to him, Babylon will be upended, and the sacred vessels returned in a matter of a few years.  Jeremiah, a true prophet, correctly predicts that restoration will happen but only after extended suffering.

Often we are tempted to laxism in actions.  We want the things we do to be easy and fun, even when they squarely oppose our moral tradition.  Taking what is truly the middle course between laxism and rigorism, we can edify our neighbor while pleasing God.