‘[There was] a woman who told St. John Vianney that she was devastated because her husband had committed suicide. She wanted to approach the great priest but his line often lasted for hours and she could not reach him. She was ready to give up and in a moment of mystical insight that only a great saint can receive, John Vianney exclaimed through the crowd, “He is saved!” The woman was incredulous so the saint repeated, stressing each word, “I tell you he is saved. He is in Purgatory, and you must pray for him. Between the parapet of the bridge and the water he had time to make an act of contrition.”’

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 13
54.	And coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogues, so that they wondered and said: How came this man by this wisdom and miracles?	Et veniens in patriam suam, docebat eos in synagogis eorum, ita ut mirarentur, et dicerent : Unde huic sapientia hæc, et virtutes ?	και ελθων εις την πατριδα αυτου εδιδασκεν αυτους εν τη συναγωγη αυτων ωστε εκπληττεσθαι αυτους και λεγειν ποθεν τουτω η σοφια αυτη και αι δυναμεις
55.	Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude:	Nonne hic est fabri filius ? nonne mater ejus dicitur Maria, et fratres ejus, Jacobus, et Joseph, et Simon, et Judas ?	ουχ ουτος εστιν ο του τεκτονος υιος ουχι η μητηρ αυτου λεγεται μαριαμ και οι αδελφοι αυτου ιακωβος και ιωσης και σιμων και ιουδας
56.	And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence therefore hath he all these things?	et sorores ejus, nonne omnes apud nos sunt ? unde ergo huic omnia ista ?	και αι αδελφαι αυτου ουχι πασαι προς ημας εισιν ποθεν ουν τουτω ταυτα παντα
57.	And they were scandalized in his regard. But Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.	Et scandalizabantur in eo. Jesus autem dixit eis : Non est propheta sine honore, nisi in patria sua, et in domo sua.	και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ουκ εστιν προφητης ατιμος ει μη εν τη πατριδι αυτου και εν τη οικια αυτου
58.	And he wrought not many miracles there, because of their unbelief.	Et non fecit ibi virtutes multas propter incredulitatem illorum.	και ουκ εποιησεν εκει δυναμεις πολλας δια την απιστιαν αυτων

54. And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence has this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?
55. Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
56. And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then has this man all these things?
57. And they were offended in him. But Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.
58. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

JEROME, After the parables which the Lord spoke to the people, and which the Apostles only understand, He goes over into His own country that He may teach there also.

AUG; From the foregoing discourse consisting of these parables, He passes to what follows without any very evident connection between them. Besides which, Mark passes from these parables to a different event from what Matthew here gives; and Luke agrees with him, so continuing the thread of the story as to make it much more probable that that which they relate followed here, namely, about the ship in which Jesus slept, and the miracle of the demons cast out; which Matthew has introduced above.

CHRYS; By his own country here, He means Nazareth; for it was not there but in Capernaum that, as is said below, He wrought so many miracles; but to these He shows His doctrine, causing no less wonder than His miracles.

REMIG; He taught in their synagogues where great numbers were met, because it was for the salvation of the multitude that He came from heaven upon earth. It follows; So that they marveled and said, Whence has this man this wisdom, and these many mighty works? His wisdom is referred to His doctrine His mighty works to His miracles.

JEROME; Wonderful folly of the Nazarenes! They wonder whence wisdom itself has wisdom, whence Power has mighty works! But the source of their error is at hand, because they regard Him as the Son of a carpenter; as they say, Is not this the carpenter's son?

CHRYS; Therefore were they in all things insensate, seeing they lightly esteemed Him on account of him who was regarded as His father, notwithstanding the many instances in old times of sons illustrious sprung from ignoble fathers; as David was the son of a husband man, Jesse; Amos the son of a shepherd, himself a shepherd And they ought to have given Him more abundant honor because, that coming of such parents, He spoke after such manner; clearly showing that it came not of human industry but of divine grace.

PSEUDO- AUG; For the Father of Christ is that Divine Workman who made all these works of nature who set forth Noah's ark, who ordained the tabernacle of Moses, and instituted the Ark of the covenant; that Workman who polishes the stubborn mind, and cuts down the proud thoughts.

HILARY; And this was the carpenter's son who subdues iron by means of fire, who tries the virtue of this world in the judgment, and forms the rude mass to every work of human need; the figure of our bodies, for example, to the diverse ministrations of the limbs, and all the actions of life eternal.

JEROME; And when they are mistaken in His Father, no wonder if they are also mistaken in His brethren. Whence it is added, Is not his mother Mary, and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?

ID; Those who are here called the Lord's brethren, are the sons of a Mary, His Mother's sister; she is the mother of this James and Joseph, that is to say, Mary the wife of Cleophas and this is the Mary who is called the mother of James the Less.

AUG; No wonder then that any kinsmen by the mother's side should be called the Lord's brethren, when even by their kindred to Joseph some are here called His brethren by those who thought Him the son of Joseph.

HILARY; Thus the Lord is held in no honor by His own; and though the wisdom of His teaching , and the power of His working raised their admiration, yet do they not believe that He did these things in the name of the Lord, and they cast His father's trade in His teeth. Amid all the wonderful works which He did, they were moved with the contemplation of His Body, and hence they ask, Whence has this man these things? And thus they were of offended in him.

JEROME; This error of the Jews is our salvation, and the condemnation of the heretics, for they perceived Jesus Christ to be man so far as to think Him the son of a carpenter.

CHRYS; Observe Christ's mercifulness; He is evil spoken of, yet He answers with mildness; Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor but in his own country, and in his own house.

REMIG; He calls Himself a Prophet, as Moses also declares, when He says, a Prophet shall God raise up to you of your brethren. And it should be known, that not Christ only, Who is the Head of all the Prophets, but Jeremiah, Daniel, and the other lesser Prophets, had more honor and regard among strangers than among their own citizens.

JEROME; For it is almost natural for citizens to be jealous towards one another; for they do not look to the present works of the man, but remember the frailties of his childhood; as if they themselves had not passed through the very same stages of age to their maturity.

HILARY; Further, He makes this answer, that a Prophet is without honor in his own country, because it was in Judaea that He was to he condemned to the sentence of the cross; and forasmuch as the power of God is for the faithful alone, He here abstained from works of divine power because of their unbelief; whence it follows, And he did not there many mighty works because of their unbelief.

JEROME; Not that because they did not believe He could not do His mighty works; but that He might not by doing them be condemning His fellow citizens in their unbelief.

CHRYS; But if His miracles raised their wonder, why did He not work many? Because He looked not to display of Himself, but to what would profit others; and when that did not result, He despised what pertained only to Himself that He might Dot increase their punishment. Why then did He even 'these few miracles? That they should not say, We should have believed had any miracles been done among us.

JEROME; Or we may understand it otherwise, that Jesus is despised in His own house and country, signifies in the Jewish people; and therefore He did among them few miracles, that they might not be altogether without excuse; but among the Gentiles He does daily greater miracles by His Apostles, not so much in healing their bodies, as in saving their souls.

Catena Aurea Matthew 13

The Holy Family

Francesco Albani

c. 1610
Oil on copper, 37,5 x 28,5 cm
Private collection

+John Vianney faced conditions in post-revolutionary France that were remarkably similar to those faced by Luther in 16th century Germany: Peasants ignorant of even the most basic Christian beliefs and pratices. Both used similar methods of correction: A return to intensive catechesis on the Lord’s Prayer and 10 Commandments.

What an indictment of our present age that Pope Benedict XVI found it necessary to follow the same pattern in his weekly audience addresses at the beginning of his pontificate!

Saint John Vianney

Fr. Don Miller, OFM

Image: Stained glass window of Curé d’Ars | Luant, France | photo by François Goglins

Saint John Vianney

Saint of the Day for August 4

(May 8, 1786 – August 4, 1859)

Saint John Vianney’s Story

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.

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? In 1929, Pope Pius XI named him the patron of parish priests worldwide.

Reflection

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.

Saint John Vianney is the Patron Saint of:

Parish Priests
All Priests

The Devil vs. St. Jean Vianney (and the martyrdom of Fr. Hamel)
Priest for Times of Terror: The Curé d’Ars
Fighting Evil Like the Cure of Ars
The Devil’s Most Effective Foe
On a Saint Who Taught and Guided Holy Priests
Pope Benedict to declare St. Jean Vianney Patron of all Priests
Praying People into the Confessional (the example of St. John Vianney)

The divine depository in our hands (so you want to go to heaven?) [Catholic Caucus]
Revitalizing Your Priesthood (The Grace of Ars -- about St. John Vianney)
A Seed of Glory and Eternal Life in the Holy Priest's Flesh [Death of St. John Vianney, Curé d’Ars]
The Priesthood and the Mass
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » Follow one Master only
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » The World is Everything - God, Nothing!
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » We are wretched creatures
Bishop Olmsted on the Devil and John Vianney
St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars
Saint John MarIe Baptist Vianney, Cure of Ars (1786-1859)

Novena In Honor Of Saint John Marie Vianney
Curé d'Ars: Model Priest [Year of the Priest]
Pope: There's an Answer to Empty Confessionals [Catholic Caucus]
St. John Vianney's Pastoral Plan
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » Lost Works
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » Have You Religion in Your Heart?
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars: The Dreadful State of the Lukewarm Soul (Catholic Caucus)
Play about life of St. John Vianney to tour U.S. in 2009
Aug 4, St. John Marie Vianney - Patron of Parish Priests
Centuries Old Relic (heart of St. John Vianney) Comes To U.S.

Sainted priest’s heart - Thousands await chance to see incorrupt relic
Saint's heart to go on display
Excerpts from the Sermons of the Cure of Ars
St. John Vianney’s Pastoral Plan
Relics of Curé of Ars Make Stop in Papal Chapel
HOMILY by St. Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars CHARITY
St John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests(1786-1859)[Cure of Ars]
News from the Apostolic Administration of St. John Vianney Fall 2002, Volume 1 - Number 1
The Cure Of Ars: Jean-Marie Vianney
“Oh, how great is a priest!" [The Curé d'Ars regarding bishops/priests)

Information: St. John Vianney

Feast Day: August 4

Born: May 8, 1786, Dardilly, France

Died: August 4, 1859, Ars-sur-Formans, France

Canonized: 1925, Rome by Pope Pius XI

Major Shrine: Shrine of St. John Vianney; Ars-sur-Formans, France

Patron of: parish priests; confessors

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Vianney

Feast Day: August 4
Born: 1768 :: Died: 1859

John Mary Vianney was born in Lyons, in France. As a child he took care of his father's sheep. He loved to pray but he also loved to play horseshoes. When John was eighteen, he asked his father if he could become a priest. His father was worried because John had become a big help on the family farm but two years later his father agreed.

When he was twenty years old, John studied under Father Balley. The priest was very patient but John became sad when he found it difficult to learn Latin. He then decided to walk sixty miles, which was a very long walk, to the shrine of St. John Francis Regis whose feast we celebrate on June 16. John prayed to St. John Francis for help. After the pilgrimage, he still found his lessons difficult but now he was not sad. He just decided to study harder.

John was finally able to enter the seminary to become a priest. No matter how much he tried, he found his studies quite hard. In the final exams, which were spoken, not written, John had to face a group of teachers and answer their questions. He was very worried and could not complete the test.

Yet, because John was a holy man, he was full of common sense and understood what the Church taught about the subjects. He knew the right answers when asked what should be done in this case or that. He just couldn't say those answers in the difficult way they were taught in the Latin text books. John was ordained and became a priest anyway. He understood what his job was as a priest and everyone knew he was a good man.

After he became a priest, he was sent to a little parish called Ars. Father Vianney fasted, prayed and did hard penance so that God would save the people of his parish from sin. The people of his parish were not all good. They drank too much liquor, used bad language, worked even on Sundays and never went to Church.

Then God heard Fr. Vianney's prayer and one by one the liquor shops closed down. People slowly started going to Church for Mass and began worshipping God.

God gave John the power to see into people's minds and to know the future. Because of this gift, he converted many sinners and helped people make the right choices in life.

Hundreds of pilgrims began to come to Ars and St. John Vianney spent twelve to sixteen hours everyday hearing confessions. He really wanted to spend the rest of his life in a monastery as a monk; instead, he stayed forty-two years at Ars and died there in 1859 at the age of seventy-three.

I’ve been rereading some of the Cure’s sermons today.

He was definitely the 19th Century’s Chrysostom.

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Friday, August 4

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the Memorial of St. John
Vianney, the patron saint of priests.
Assigned to a poorly attended
parish, he quickly became known
for his preaching and confessional
skills. Thousands returned to the
faith because of him. He died in
1859.

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: August 4th

Memorial of St. John Vianney, priest

MASS READINGS

August 04, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

Almighty and merciful God, who made the Priest Saint John Vianney wonderful in his pastoral zeal, grant, we pray, that through his intercession and example we may in charity win brothers and sisters for Christ and attain with them eternal glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

show

Recipes (1)

French Pea Soup

show

Activities (3)

show

Prayers (4)

show

Library (4)

Old Calendar: St. Dominic, confessor ; Other Titles: Cure de Ars

St. John Baptist Mary Vianney (1786-1859) was born in Dardilly and died in Ars, France. Although his talents were limited and his education meager, he was ordained a priest in 1815. After three years at Ecully, he was appointed parish priest of Ars. Here he spent almost forty-two years of his life, devoting himself to prayer, mortification, and pastoral works. His success in directing souls made him known throughout the Christian world. Men of all ranks and conditions of life sought his guidance and advice. He was beatified by Pope St. Pius X, himself once a parish priest, and canonized by Pope Pius XI.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Dominic. St. John Vianney's feast is on August 8. St. Dominic's feast in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is celebrated on August 8.

St. John Vianney
During the French Revolution a small band of Ursuline nuns was imprisoned in the Bastille. To cheer her disconsolate companions, one of the group passed wheaten discs of bread, cut from the loaf of the daily rations, to memorialize the happy days when they were free and could receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. At that time all religious schools and churches were closed, and those who harbored priests were imprisoned.

At the Vianney farmhouse near Dardilly, France, fugitive priests were offered a refuge. Here their son was prepared in his tenth year for the reception of Holy Communion by a hunted priest.

While tending his father's sheep, John Vianney fashioned a small statue of Our Lady out of clay. He hid it in the hollow of an old tree with this petition: "Dear Lady Mary, I love you very much; you must bring Jesus back to His tabernacles very soon!"

On a visit to his aunt at Ecully, John listened to her praises of Father Balley, the parish priest, and he sought the Father's advice regarding his vocation to the priesthood. The pastor appraised the overgrown, awkward youth of faltering speech and devoid of general education. Though John was unable to answer the questions pertaining to earthly science which Father asked him, yet, when the priest put to him the questions of the catechism, his face became luminous with lively interest. He answered every question correctly, and in a manner beyond his years. The amazed pastor took this evidence as a sign from heaven, prophesying, "You will become a priest!"

The ensuing years brought many trials to John. He was conscripted; his mother died; he failed often in his studies. Ordained as a Mass priest, August 12, 1815, he remarked to Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy: "Here is your priest, O Blessed Mother! Stay close to me. Help me to be a good priest!"

As a curate and as a pastor, St. John Vianney's daily instruction on the catechism found an inspired audience, among whom were noted orators such as Père Lacordaire, O.P., the famed preacher of Notre Dame. The saintly pastor performed many miracles, but the greatest was his own manner of Eucharistic living. It was his Lord, living in Father Vianney, who made him "spend and be spent" in ceaseless service for both sinner and saint in the sacred tribunal of penance.

— Rev. Vincent F. Kienberger, O.P.

Patron: priests; confessors; Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa; diocese of Kansas City, Kansas.

Things to Do:

The Collect praises St. John Vianney's zeal for souls and his spirit of prayer and penance. Say a special prayer today that by his example and intercession we too may win the souls of our brothers for Christ.
Say a prayer for priests that they may persevere in their vocation. If you haven't been to confession for a while resolve to do so right away and be sure that you remember to say an extra prayer for your confessor.
From the Catholic Culture library: Pope John XXIII holds St. John Vianney as a model for the priesthood in this Encyclical.
Read this longer life of the Curé of Ars and also these excerpts from his sermons.

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37

Saint John Vianney, Priest (Memorial)

When you come into the land . . . (Leviticus 23:10)

Try though we may, we simply can’t control everything that happens in our lives. From political intrigues to sudden thunderstorms, some things just happen no matter what we do. Only God can make accurate predictions about what will and won’t happen. He does exactly this in today’s first reading, when he tells the people, “When you come into the land which I am giving you . . . bring a sheaf” (Leviticus 23:10). Notice that he says when you come into the land, not if.

Ever faithful to his promises, God knew that the Israelites would enter the Promised Land. All he asked for in return was their trust, demonstrated by an offering of a “sheaf,” a bundle of harvested grain, during the major Jewish festivals. This sheaf was to come from “the first fruits” of their harvest—the very first ripening of grain (Leviticus 23:10). They weren’t to wait until they had gathered all of the harvest; they were to show their trust that God would bless the rest of the crop.

But what about during years of drought or hardship, when the Israelites were struggling to see God’s blessings? Undoubtedly, it was hard to trust God then. But that’s what made the offering even more valuable.

We can find it hard too when our loved ones continue to struggle despite our prayers or when we can’t see a way out of a painful situation. Like the Israelites, we might wonder if God will be faithful. So how can we “bring a sheaf,” or continue to trust in God? By recalling how faithful he has been in the past. Use your personal history as a starting point, and then proclaim with the psalmist, “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness” (Psalm 27:13).

Maybe your faith has faltered at other times, but in this moment, decide to bring God a sheaf of trust. Imagine him responding, “When I answer your prayer . . .” God knows what he is doing. He is already past the “if” stage and onto the “when.” He is providing for you in ways you don’t yet perceive. Trust this, and thank the Lord for what you believe, even if you can’t see it. You may not know all the details of God’s plan, but God does. He won’t abandon you.

“Lord, I entrust my deepest concerns to you in faith.”

Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11
Matthew 13:54-58

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for August 4, 2017:

(Reader’s Tip) Approach everything—work, school, obstacle or victory—as a team. Support each other in times of difficulty and share with each other times of success.

Regnum Christi

August 4, 2017 – Lack of Faith

04 Aug 2017

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe in your power. I know that you are the Lord of all history. I trust that you are guiding my life. Thank you for showing me that you will triumph. Thank you for the triumph you have already achieved in my heart and in the hearts of so many people. I want to allow you to have total control over my life.

Petition: Lord, increase my faith in you.

1. Too Much Familiarity: The people of Nazareth thought they knew all about Jesus. He had grown up among them. Apparently, they had not seen anything extraordinary about him before he started his public ministry. They thought he was just like everyone else. So, when they hear that he is doing miracles and teaching with authority, they do not believe it. Sometimes I also run the danger of putting limits on Christ’s power in my life. I see the unimpressive circumstances of my life and the recurrence of the same old problems. I do not believe that Christ can do something supernatural in the midst of an ordinary situation. Today I am receiving an invitation to step beyond the routine and believe more deeply in the power of Christ.

2. An Unwelcome Prophet: The solution to their deepest problems was in their own backyard. Yet, the people of Nazareth felt that such a familiar figure could not bring anything extraordinary. When the Church sometimes challenges me with some of her teachings – on charity, on family life, on the need to be a courageous witness –, do I sometimes find excuses, like saying that my circumstances are too difficult, or the Church does not understand my situation? Do I sometimes let the prophetic voice of the Church die in my heart? When I feel challenged by the Gospel and by the Church I should be thankful. Christ is inviting me to discover the deepest meaning of my life. He is giving me a chance to allow his presence to make a deep change in my life. He is allowing me to discover him in faith and is taking me beyond my comfort zone to the level of the coming of his Kingdom.

3. A Miracle Worker in Waiting: What sort of miracles does Christ want to do in my life? Christ has a plan to make my life a luminous witness to the power of his grace. He wants to fill my life with his holiness and help me be a light for others. If I can shake off my superficiality and lack of faith, I will discover the powerful presence of the Savior who helps me live each moment with depth and love. He can do miracles in my life. He can help me live the virtues which are most costly for me. Am I willing to take a risk for Christ and trust him totally?

Conversation with Christ: Lord, I know you want to do great things in my life. Help me to see how you can transform the ordinary, seemingly unimportant circumstances of my day into moments when your grace triumphs. Enable me to be docile to your Holy Spirit, so he can do miracles in my life.

Resolution: I will increase my faith in Christ by taking a risk for him in some aspect of my spiritual or apostolic life.

Pme Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Espa�ol

All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 5

<< Friday, August 4, 2017 >>

St. John Mary Vianney

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37
View Readings

Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11

Matthew 13:54-58
Similar Reflections

HALF-LIVES

"He did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith." �Matthew 13:58

The people of Jesus' native place lacked faith in Him (Mt 13:54ff). Because of their lack of receptivity, Jesus did not work many miracles there.

This pattern is being repeated today. In our secular humanistic culture, many people have a crisis of faith. Under these circumstances, they may deprive themselves of seeing the power and glory of God in their lives. Without faith in Jesus, we live half-lives instead of abundant lives (see Jn 10:10). Our lives are only shadows of what they could be.

Jesus has mercy on those who are lacking faith. He intervenes by visiting them and giving them another opportunity to live life to the full. He gives them grace to have faith. He gives them the opportunity to be saved from faithlessness and its effects.

Jesus may be visiting you now or very soon. You must have faith in Him or die the second death (Rv 2:11; Rv 20:6, 14; Rv 21:8) of everlasting self-deprivation from His love. "All depends on faith, everything is grace" (Rm 4:16). The Lord is helping you to have faith. Cry out: "I do believe! Help my lack of faith" (Mk 9:24, our transl).

Prayer: Prayer: Father, may my faith move mountains (Mt 17:20) and not vice versa.

Promise: Promise: "Take up a melody, and sound the timbrel, the pleasant harp and the lyre." �Ps 81:3

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

August 4, 2017

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

Reading 1 Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37

Responsorial Psalm Ps 81:3-4, 5-6, 10-11ab

Alleluia 1 Pt 1:25

Gospel Mt 13:54-58

Saint John Vianney

Saint of the Day for August 4

(May 8, 1786 – August 4, 1859)

Saint John Vianney’s Story

Reflection

Saint John Vianney is the Patron Saint of:

St. Vianney

Ordinary Time: August 4th

Memorial of St. John Vianney, priest

MASS READINGS

COLLECT PRAYER

Recipes (1)

Activities (3)

Prayers (4)

Library (4)

Meditation: Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37

August 4, 2017 – Lack of Faith

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

Matthew 13:54-58

One Bread, One Body

HALF-LIVES