MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 24 JANUARY
January 24, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 24 JANUARY
January 24, 2026
GENTLENESS AS STRENGTH
Saint Francis de Sales teaches that true holiness is marked by gentleness, patience, and humility. In an age of conflict and harsh polemics, he chose kindness over confrontation, showing that hearts are won not by force but by love rooted in truth.
HOLINESS FOR ALL
He firmly believed that sanctity is not reserved for clergy or religious alone but is possible for everyone, in every state of life. By encouraging ordinary people to seek God in daily duties, he opened the path of holiness to homes, workplaces, and ordinary routines.
LOVE AS THE CENTER OF CHRISTIAN LIFE
For Saint Francis de Sales, love of God was the soul of all virtues. Obedience, prayer, discipline, and service had value only when animated by love. His spirituality invites believers to grow not through fear, but through a trusting and loving relationship with God.
PERSEVERANCE IN MISSION
Despite rejection, misunderstanding, and physical danger, he remained steadfast in his pastoral mission. His perseverance reminds us that faithfulness, even when unseen or unappreciated, bears fruit in God’s time.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION AND INNER FREEDOM
As a wise spiritual guide, he emphasized interior freedom and peace of heart. He taught that progress in spiritual life comes from consistent effort, self-knowledge, and gentle perseverance rather than harsh self-judgment.
LEGACY OF HOPE AND PEACE
Saint Francis de Sales leaves a lasting legacy of hope, encouraging believers to walk the path of holiness with joy, balance, and serenity, trusting that God works patiently within every willing soul.
