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Wednesday, August 1, 2007

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St. Alphonsus Liguori


Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99
Matthew 13:44-46

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halo

"Then the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses' face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the Lord." —Exodus 34:35

Moses had a halo after talking to God. People had to wear sunglasses when they looked at him. You could get a tan just sitting in the same room with Moses. The man was a human lightning bug.

When we talk to God, do we get turned on like Moses did? Does communion with the Lord have a visible effect on us? We may not glow, but do we at least smile? Does the Son-light affect us more than the sun-light?

Jesus is the Light of the world; in Him there is no darkness (Jn 8:12; 1 Jn 1:5). When we walk in His light, we not only are in the light but we "are light in the Lord" (Eph 5:8). As followers of Jesus, we too are "the light of the world" (Mt 5:14). Light naturally shines so as to give "light to all in the house. In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father" (Mt 5:15-16).

It's natural for you to have a halo because you are light; Jesus the Light dwells in you, and you are walking in His light. Rise and shine!

Prayer:  Jesus, because of You may I smile even amid bad circumstances.

Promise:  "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant's search for fine pearls. When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it." —Mt 13:45-46

Praise:  St. Alphonsus Liguori resigned as a lawyer and gave his life to the Lord's service. He became a saint, guiding others with simplicity, gentleness, and intelligibility.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Living the Sacramental Life on audio AV 56-3 or video V-56.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 14, 2007

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