August 1, 2025 // Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58
Reflect on the Word //
Slow the pace. I walked deliberately. Focused on each breath. Focused on the warmth of the sun. Focused on the present. The Lord was telling me to notice, to be attentive, and I had underestimated how difficult this request would be.
How long had it been since I noticed? The cobalt sky with puffy white clouds . . . the soft hum of bees . . . the words spilling out from my toddler’s mouth as she notices everything. How long had it been since I slowed the pace? Since I sought the Lord in everything around me like a little child? I couldn’t remember, and I doubted whether I even knew how to do that anymore. I had become distracted, tired, and absent. But then Jesus asked me to go on a walk. That was simple enough, and each day that I walked, feeling His tender presence next to me, step after step, our walk became profound.
I followed instead of racing ahead without purpose. I noticed how I needed to breathe, to nourish my body, to find beauty and take the time to enjoy it. I laughed with the Lord. I spoke with the Lord without the pressure to perform. I slowed the pace.
Throughout life, there will be times when we grumble in astonishment at the Lord. The Lord shows us a way, a path overflowing with grace. But we so often do not see Who He truly is and like the people in the synagogue in today’s Gospel, we say to ourselves, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds” (Matthew 13:54)? This question and others overwhelm us, rapid thought after rapid thought, until we collapse into the false comfort of distraction.
But there is a better way.
Jesus leads us to peace, to presence, to being whole . . . one step at a time. He invites us to receive the grace to slow the pace. The grace to seek Him as our Lord and God and notice that His love abounds in the present moment, in every breath, in everything around us.
Relate to the Lord // Take a walk with the Lord today. Take your time. Notice.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of five little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.
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