Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 1 August ‘25
Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time, Friday
Saint Alphonsus Maria Ligouri, Memorial
Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-38. Matthew 13:54-58
Hesitation of the Home People
The Gospel today speaks of a painful reality in Jesus’ life: He is rejected by His own people. Matthew records, “They took offense at Him” (Matt 13:57). The people of Nazareth, who watched Him grow up, were amazed at His wisdom and power, but this amazement quickly turned into hesitation. Instead of accepting Him, they doubted, saying, “Is this not the carpenter’s son?”
The Hesitation of the Home People
This hesitation was born out of familiarity and prejudice. They could not see beyond the ordinary face of Jesus. He had no formal rabbinic training, no prestigious background, and yet He spoke with authority and performed mighty deeds. Instead of allowing their wonder to lead to faith, they allowed it to turn into scepticism: “Where did this man get all this wisdom?”
John’s Gospel captures this rejection in a striking way:
“He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).
Rejection is a painful feeling – a wound to the heart. Jesus felt the pain of being misunderstood by those closest to Him. Their narrow expectations could not accept that God’s grace was at work in someone they thought they fully knew.
Lessons for Our Lives
We, too, often hesitate to see God at work in the ordinary people around us. We are quick to judge based on past experiences or social status. Sometimes, we even doubt our own calling, thinking, “Can God really work through me?”
The people of Nazareth missed the blessings Jesus wanted to give them because of their hesitation. Matthew tells us that Jesus “did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Faith opens the door to God’s power; hesitation and prejudice close it.
Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori
Today, we celebrate Saint Alphonsus Mary Liguori (1696–1787), a bishop, doctor of the Church, and founder of the Redemptorists. He faced rejection and misunderstanding in his own time, yet he did not allow hesitation to block God’s mission. Through his writings, hymns, and pastoral care, he brought countless souls to Christ. His life reminds us that when we surrender to God, even in the face of doubt or rejection, God’s grace bears abundant fruit.
A Call to Overcome Hesitation
Let us ask for the grace to recognize God’s presence in the ordinary and in the people we meet. Let us not let jealousy, prejudice, or over-familiarity stop us from seeing God’s work. Like Saint Alphonsus, let us be bold in our faith and generous in our service, even when others misunderstand us.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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