Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church
Have you ever felt truly alone? There are a variety of ways through which we could arrive at such a feeling. More often than not, it comes about because we feel like we have been abandoned. This abandonment may come about through broken friendships or shattered relationships. It can happen to any of us at almost any age. Abandonment can seem so severe that we feel as if God has forgotten us. These grave moments demand that we exercise care to keep our faith.
This “dark night” might feel like a spiritual desert in which our faith seems dried up. Our prayers might seem unanswered. Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a “dark night” that lasted decades. For Alphonsus Liguori, who we remember today, the dark night manifested itself in many ways. One came in the form of abandonment, when his newly formed religious order the Redemptorists nearly dried up. Of the first group of priests and brothers, only one man stayed. The community recovered because they stayed true to their dedication to imitate Christ. The “dark night” intensely returned to Alphonsus toward the end of his life. It began with physical pain but expanded to fears and temptations against every belief and virtue he held.
Alphonsus was able to keep his faith because he was able to connect his burdens to the sufferings of Christ. What do we do when our sufferings become distressing? Although God’s shoulders are broad, should we blame the Lord for our suffering? Clearly in today’s reading, Jeremiah felt that his faith was partly responsible for his suffering. For Jeremiah, the contrast between the joy of coming to know the Lord and the pain of staying faithful to the Lord was nearly too much. It was as if he felt betrayed by God.
Do we ever compare the highs and lows in our faith and blame God for the contrast?
The readings today remind us that we need to trust in the Lord and know that God is with us every step of the way in good times and in bad. Alphonsus knew that the pearl of great price was found in completely connecting one’s discipleship to Christ.
Merciful God, help us connect our suffering to the one who gave all he had to purchase our treasure in eternity. Remind us, through the example of Alphonsus and all the saints, that the joy of the Kingdom of heaven is found in You alone. Amen!
- -Michael Montgomery