The Memorial of St John-Mary Vianney

The Memorial of St John-Mary Vianney

By REV. FR. SAMUEL FREDERICK

Jer. 30:1-2.12-15.18-22, Mt. 15:1-2.10-14. We often want to be in control of our lives and the lives of others. We try to impose our will on others, rather than to see the will of God in all circumstances. It takes humility to admit we are sinners, yet we fail to admit our own wrongs and that sometimes cause problems by leading others blindly, thus falling into traps which we were unable to see. God is willing to be there for us. In today's Gospel, Jesus invites us to take the step to follow Him. All we need do is step out with faith. In today's first reading, Jeremiah addresses the 'chosen people' as they suffer in exile. The prophet reminds them that God is using their enemies in order to tell them that they have not been faithful to the Divine relationship. Even their former allies have now turned against them because the people of Judah had turned against their God. Yet, God, being faithful to the Divine promises made to David, will restore the throne and kingdom to one of the descendants and they will again have the relationship with God renewed.

St John-Mary Vianney, the renowned Patron saint of all Priests whose memorial we celebrate dedicated his life in honour of God. John-Mary Vianney, also known for his epithet of the ‘Curé of Ars’, the town in which he based was a truly great and holy man of God that should be our inspiration in how we live up our faith. He was born into a devout Catholic family and spent the early days of his youth enduring difficulties due to the upheavals caused by the French Revolution. He did face difficulties in his academics, as the Revolution interrupted his crucial young academic formation years. However, he eventually made it to Ordination to the Sacred Order of Priesthood as his piety was used as a reason to push him through the formation. Due to this issues, he was assigned to be the Parish Priest of a Church in a small and insignificant village of Ars, a small village of merely just two hundred individuals. He spent much effort in reaching out to sinners and people formed long queue to confess their sins and seeking his guidance, and miracles were told by those who witnessed it.

May the Lord deepen in us our love for Him, so that we may continue to be open to what God has for us! Amen!! Keep safe and have a pleasant day!!!

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