Reflection Date: July 20, 2026 | Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Apollinaris, Bishop and Martyr
Daily Readings: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8; Matthew 12:38-42
Children of God:
July 20 is the Feast of Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna, Italy.
Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna was one of the earliest bishops and martyrs of the Church, traditionally believed to have been a disciple of Saint Peter.
He was sent to Ravenna, Italy, to preach the Gospel at a time when Christianity faced strong opposition.
Through his preaching, many people converted to the Christian faith.
However, his missionary work provoked hostility from pagan authorities and religious leaders.
He suffered severe persecutions, including beatings, torture, and several periods of exile.
Despite these hardships, Saint Apollinaris continued preaching the Gospel with courage and perseverance.
Even when expelled from the city, he returned whenever possible to strengthen the Christian community.
His unwavering faith became a powerful witness to unbelievers.
More than his words, it was his steadfast life amid suffering that convinced many people of the truth of Christ.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminded His listeners that faith does not depend on spectacular signs but on recognizing the signs that God has already given.
What inspirations can we draw from this passage today?
First, learning to recognize the signs God already places before us.
In the gospel story of Matthew, some scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to prove His authority.
Yet they already witnessed His healings, heard His teachings, and saw His compassion.
Still, they remained unconvinced because their hearts were closed.
Jesus told them that no sign would be given except the sign of Jonah, pointing ultimately to His death and resurrection.
Many people today also seek extraordinary experiences before they believe.
Some say, "If only God would perform a miracle before my eyes, then I would believe."
Yet God constantly reveals Himself through everyday blessings: the love of family, the kindness of friends, the beauty of creation, and the quiet peace that comes through prayer.
The problem is often not the absence of signs but our inability to notice them.
Faith invites us to open our eyes and hearts.
God continues to speak through Scripture, through the sacraments, and through faithful witnesses around us.
Like Saint Apollinaris, many people become living signs of God's presence simply by persevering in goodness amid trials.
Learning to recognize the signs God already places before us.
Second, a faithful life speaks louder than spectacular miracles.
Jesus referred to the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South as examples of people who responded to God's message.
The Ninevites repented when Jonah preached to them, and the Queen of the South traveled a great distance to hear Solomon's wisdom.
Yet Jesus declared that someone greater than Jonah and Solomon stood before His listeners, and still many refused to believe.
We are also called to become signs for others.
Our patience, honesty, forgiveness, and charity may lead someone closer to God.
The world does not merely need impressive words; it needs credible witnesses whose lives reflect the Gospel.
A faithful life speaks louder than spectacular miracles.
As we reflect today, let us ask ourselves: Do I constantly demand signs from God while ignoring the blessings already present in my life?
Am I attentive to the many ways God speaks to me each day? Does my life become a sign that leads others toward Christ?
Children of God:
Jesus reminded His listeners that the greatest sign was already standing before them.
Sadly, many failed to recognize Him because they expected something different.
The same temptation exists today when we become preoccupied with extraordinary experiences while overlooking God's quiet presence.
May we have eyes that recognize His presence and hearts that respond with faith.
In doing so, we become signs of hope for others.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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