Live the Gospel
Obey Jesus in the Gospel. We should make his life a subject of study and imitate that way of life even in trivial matters. St. Alphonsa
Alphonsa’s life was a testament to the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel. She studied his life and strived to imitate his way of life, even in the smallest of matters. This is a powerful example of how we can make the Gospel a guiding force in our lives.
The Holy Bible was Alphonsama’s favorite book. In those days, having one’s own Bible was very difficult. Alphonsa had owned a Bible since her final profession in 1936. It was a treasure to her on the occasion of her final profession. The Bible was given to Fr. Emmanuel Andumalil. It was customary for the Sisters to receive many gifts from their relatives, friends, and well-wishers on the day of their final commitment. The scriptures were very helpful in guiding her towards her goal in life and satisfying her thirst for knowledge. She never passed a single day without reading this book of life. She is very devoted to the Holy Bible, and the book was opened, read, and closed after reading with much devotion. She kept it like a relic. How do we live a holy life based on this Gospel? Alphonsa showed us that she can lead. Some sisters in the monastery misunderstood her illness and did not like her mannerisms. But she treated them like best friends, showing remarkable resilience and inspiring us all.
As Mother Ursula recalls about it: “When I asked Alphonsa how it is possible to love one’s enemies, this was her reply. “It is the holy Bible that enables me to forgive others, to forget occasions of hatred, to speak sweetly to haters, to work with them, and to pray for them.
Alphonsa told her beloved sisters that they have to imbibe from the scriptures, especially from the Gospel. She said to them we must obey Jesus in the Gospel. We should make his life a subject of study and imitate that way of life even in trivial matters. This can only be achieved through meditative reading of the Holy Bible. Sometimes, the Sisters made fun of her because she was strict about reading scriptures. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her devotion to the Gospel, inspiring us all to overcome our own obstacles in following the Gospel.
For Alphonsa, the daily reading of the Holy Bible was not just a routine, but a source of joy and comfort. She found great solace in living according to the Gospel, believing, like St Francis of Assisi, that holiness was found in meditating on and putting into practice Jesus’s life and actions in the Gospels.
Living the Gospel is a holistic commitment to aligning one’s beliefs, values, and actions with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. It is a lifelong journey of conversion and discipleship, guided by faith, prayer, and a desire to grow closer to God and fulfill His plan for humanity.
Fr Jaison Kunnel MCBS