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.
