Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 08-04-05, Memorial, St. John Mary Vianney, priest

August 4, 2005

St. John Vianney

(1786-1859)

A man with vision overcomes obstacles and performs deeds that seem impossible. John Vianney was a man with vision: 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.

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.

Many people look forward to retirement and taking it easy, doing the things they always wanted to do but never had the time. But John Vianney had no thoughts of retirement. As his fame spread, more hours were consumed in serving God’s people. Even the few hours he would allow himself for sleep were disturbed frequently by the devil.

Who, but a man with vision, could keep going with ever-increasing strength?

Comment:

Indifference toward religion, coupled with a love for material comfort, seem to be common signs of our times. A person from another planet observing us would not likely judge us to be pilgrim people, on our way to somewhere else. John Vianney, on the other hand, was a man on a journey with his goal before him at all times.

Quote:

Recommending liturgical prayer, John Vianney would say, “Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that.”

A Voice in the Desert

Father Altier is on retreat. No homilies will be available until Friday August 12. God Bless you.

-DesertVoice Support

The Word Among Us

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Meditation
Matthew 16:13-23

On more than one occasion, Pope John Paul II opened a public address with Jesus’ questioning words, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). “Why does he want to know what his disciples think of him?” John Paul II once pondered. “Jesus wants his disciples to become aware of what is hidden in their own minds and hearts and to give voice to their conviction.”

Jesus wants us to become aware of our own thoughts and convictions about him. With this simple but penetrating question, Jesus goes directly to the heart of the matter. “Never mind what others say. I want to hear what you have to say about me.”

Every day, we face this question in one way or another. Who do you say that Jesus is? Is he the close friend you turn to and lean on? Or is he a distant God who holds impossibly high expectations of you? Does he celebrate with you as your champion? Or is he the spoilsport who tells you to be dismally humble?

On another occasion, the same pope urged, “The question cannot be given a ‘neutral’ answer. . . . It is a question that comes from Jesus’ heart. He who opens his own heart wants the person before him not to answer with his mind alone. The question that comes from Jesus’ heart must move ours: Who am I for you? What do I mean to you? Do you really know me? Are you my witnesses? Do you love me?”

Our personal response is important, but remember that our conviction doesn’t come only from within ourselves. It must be borne up by a revelation from the Father who wants us to know his Son (Matthew 16:17). It is important for our faith and for our relationship with Christ to make simple confessions like Peter’s every day: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” (16:16). Or we can cry out with Thomas: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Simple statements like these can help root our faith in Christ, as well as bring the power and presence of God to bear in any situation we may encounter.

“Glorious Jesus, you are light for the world, hope for the hopeless, and comfort for the lonely. Release me from any false notions about you and continue to reveal yourself to me. Jesus, you are my Lord and my God!”

Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 95:1-2,6-9

One Bread, One Body

<< Thursday, August 4, 2005 >>

St. John Vianney

Numbers 20:1-13

Psalm 95

Matthew 16:13-23

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BITTERNESS MUST GO

“Because you were not faithful to Me in showing forth My sanctity before the Israelites, you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them.” —Numbers 20:12

Moses was not faithful to the Lord in showing forth the Lord’s sanctity when he brought forth water from the rock. Consequently, God told Moses he would not enter the Promised Land. Some people speculate that Moses should not have struck the rock twice or that he said the wrong thing to the people. The psalmist clarified this by observing that Moses’ mistake was the “rash utterance” that “passed his lips” (Ps 106:33).

Because his spirit was embittered (Ps 106:33), Moses spoke this way. Therefore, Moses’ bitterness deprived him of entering the Promised Land. Paul taught: “Do nothing to sadden the Holy Spirit with Whom you were sealed against the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness” (Eph 4:30-31). For husbands to love their wives, they must be especially careful to “avoid any bitterness toward them” (Col 3:19). The writer of Hebrews counseled: “See to it that no man falls away from the grace of God; that no bitter root springs up through which many may become defiled” (Heb 12:15).

We must repent of bitterness now, go to Confession as soon as possible, forgive those who have hurt us, and ask God to heal us. Bitterness must go.

Prayer: Father, uproot bitterness from the lives of thousands of people today.

Promise: “I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” —Mt 16:19

Praise: St. John Vianney spent at least eleven hours per day in the confessional bringing sinners back to God.

Faith-sharing bump.

Prayers offered up for the safe rescue of the seven Russian sailors in the submerged sub.