MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 31 JULY
July 31, 2026
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI: BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
August 1, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
31 JULY, 2026
Matthew 13:54-58
Jesus came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
When Jesus returned to His hometown and taught in the synagogue, the people were astonished—but not in a way that led to faith. They questioned how someone so familiar, the carpenter’s son, could speak with such wisdom and perform mighty works. Their skepticism blinded them. Familiarity bred contempt, and they allowed their preconceived ideas to limit their ability to receive the truth. This passage highlights the pain of rejection and the tragedy of unbelief, especially from those closest to us. It is a sobering reminder that faith requires a heart open to seeing beyond appearances and trusting in the divine even when it comes in familiar forms.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You came with wisdom and power, yet many rejected You because they thought they knew who You were. Forgive us when we let our assumptions blind us to Your truth. Help us to recognize Your presence, even when You come in quiet or unexpected ways. Soften our hearts to receive Your Word, no matter the vessel it comes through. When we face rejection for our faith, strengthen us to persevere with grace. Let us not miss Your miracles because of unbelief. May we honor You always, not with lip service, but with faith that welcomes You wholly. Amen
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OR
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
5 NOVEMBER, 2025
Luke 14:25-33
Now great multitudes accompanied him; and he turned and said to them,
“If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, `This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’
Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks terms of peace.
So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
Building a friendship with someone is not easy for it needs more trust and respect so our friendship will last. It is the same with our relationship with God, which truly needs a strong foundation, which will be achieved if we pray from the heart and amend our lives through the Holy Spirit who will lead us to the true path
To leave our family, including our Mother, our Father as well as our sisters and brothers does not literally mean that we should forget our family and our loved ones. Instead, it is a complete detachment to worldly things for the devil is a great deceiver and if we are weak in our faith we will easily get affected by the worries of this world.
We should carry our Cross for the Cross is a treasure as well as a symbol of our salvation. If we embrace our Cross wholeheartedly and connect it to the Cross of Jesus, our Lord will pour out His infinite mercy and will bless us more. Truly in this way our relationship with our King will grow deeper each day.
Lastly, we are here to abide and to listen to our King in a more attentive way. Thus, our obedience to the true Magisterium of the true church is a must and we must live a holy life for such things that lead us to eternal happiness.
PRAYER
Lord, let me take my first step each day through prayers and by living a holy life. By obeying your instructions I will be living in your Divine will, so please grant me more strength and perseverance to overcome all hindrances and do what pleases you. Help me oh God so I will never be deceived by the pleasure of this world but yearn for such things that will save me from damnation and lead me to eternal life. Amen
