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 est une épouse et mère de cinq petits. Elle est une passionnée du Saint Rosaire avec une profonde dévotion au Sacré-Cœur de Jésus et au Cœur Immaculé de Marie. Son amour pour le message de la Miséricorde Divine l'a amenée à devenir Missionnaire Mariale de la Miséricorde Divine. Elle aime les miracles de la vie de famille, le café fort et rencontrer les autres dans ce voyage vers la sainteté. Elle a contribué à And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women .
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