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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

August 1st: Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
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Gospel text (Mt 5,13-19): Jesus said to his disciples: «You are the salt of the earth (…). You are the light of the world (…). Your light must shine before others, so that they may see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven (…). Do not think that I have come to remove the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to remove but to fulfill them (…)».

St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church (Patron of confessors and moralists)

EDITORIAL TEAM evangeli.net (based on texts by Saint John Paul II) (Città del Vaticano, Vatican)

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Alphonsus Marie Liguori (1696-1787). As heir of a noble family, he had a complete and careful training in the humanistic field as well as in the legal field. After a brilliant career at the Naples forum, he leaves the world to devote himself only to God. In 1726 he was ordained as a priest. For 30 years the missionary apostolate leads Alfonso in the most varied directions. At the same time, he deepened his choice in favor of the poor and humble. In 1762, at the age of 66, he was appointed bishop and developed in his pastoral work an activity that seems incredible, in the double aspect of the direct ministry and the apostolate of the pen.

Its extensive production comprises 111 titles and embraces three great fields: morality, faith and spiritual life. Alfonso was the renovator of morals, progressively reaching the right balance between severity and freedom. “The Practice of love of Jesus Christ” is his main ascetic book.

—The structure of alfonsian spirituality could be reduced to these two elements: prayer and grace. It is a popular spirituality where everyone is called to holiness, each in their own state.