Bible
Study: Numbers 12:1-13. / Matthew 14:22-36.
Today we
remember specially St. John Vianney. He wanted to become a priest. But he had
to overcome his meager formal schooling, which inadequately prepared him for
seminary studies. His failure to comprehend Latin lectures forced him to
discontinue. But his vision of being a priest urged him to seek private
tutoring. After a lengthy battle with the books, John was ordained.
Situations
calling for “impossible” deeds followed him everywhere. As pastor of the parish
at Ars, John encountered people who were indifferent and quite comfortable with
their style of living. His vision led him through severe fasts and short nights
of sleep. (Some devils can only be cast out by prayer and fasting.) With
Catherine Lassagne and Benedicta Lardet, he established La Providence, a home
for girls. Only a man of vision could have such trust that God would provide
for the spiritual and material needs of all those who came to make La
Providence their home.
We all
have one or two reasons to be scared in life. Like Peter in our Gospel passage
this morning, John Vianney could have been overwhelmed by the fear of never
making it to the priesthood, fear of not succeeding in his work as a priest
when he encountered a stiff-necked people, fear of not been able to gather
resources to take care of less privileged etc. but none of these fears could
stop him. We are able to handle our fears by keeping our gaze fixed on Jesus
rather than the situations around us. If we spend time worrying about our problems,
we can sink into the river but if that time is spent before Jesus in prayer or
in the Blessed Sacrament, we find strength to carry on.
His work
as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment. In the winter
months he was to spend 11 to 12 hours daily reconciling people with God. In the
summer months this time was increased to 16 hours. Unless a man was dedicated
to his vision of a priestly vocation, he could not have endured this giving of
self day after day. Who, but a man with vision, could keep going with
ever-increasing strength? In 1929, Pope Pius XI named him the patron of parish
priests worldwide.
Again like
Moses, there was a meek aspect to John Vianney. He was totally dedicated to his
work and not concerned about what people said or thought about him.
Let us
pray:
Lord
Jesus, may I be more dedicated to you and not distracted by the world around me.
Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.
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