Memorial of St. Alphonsus Ligouri, Bishop and Doctor of
the Church
(Exodus 33:7-11,34:5b-9.28; Matthew 13:36-43)
In today’s first reading God gives an extraordinary and
paradoxical self-disclosure. The Almighty
and Eternal says that He is both wonderfully kind and exceedingly strict. How should this seeming contrast be understood?
Jesus provides the full revelation of God in a similar
way. He speaks of God as a Father always
willing to assist a son or daughter. But
Jesus does not refrain from saying that God will punish evil people for their
misdeeds. The key to understanding God seems
to be repentance. God bestows only good
things on His people. If they show
ingratitude or rebellion, He will take offense and prepare to punish them. But if they seek forgiveness, they can count
on His mercy.
We may have difficulty repenting. It not only takes humility to say, “I am
sorry”. It also takes a strong will to
change from pursuing one’s desire to doing what is right. However, if we are so willing, we can count
on the Lord for help.
