Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest
(Numbers
13:1-2.25-14.1.26a-29a.34-35; Matthew 15:21-28)
With summer
slowdown, we have time to “reconnoiter” our lives. It is time to make adjustments and to establish
goals for the future. We are like the Israelites
in today’s first reading sent to appraise the land of Canaan. Some of us may find themselves, again like the
Israelites, overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. They may not want to give up some of the
securities they have that make their lives meaningful. They may not want to scale back work or
social life to spend more time with family.
They may not be willing to give up television programming which they
know is distorting their moral sensibilities.
When we are
challenged by what we must do to improve our lives before God, we can take cues
from today’s gospel’s heroine. The
Canaanite woman goes to the Lord in her need.
She knows that without his help, her daughter’s cause is hopeless. She persists in her entreaty even when Jesus
seems to put up a roadblock. In the end,
she finds him ever gracious, ever merciful.
Today the
Church remembers one of the most celebrated of modern saints. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, also relied heavily
on the Lord. He had trouble completing
his studies for the priesthood. However, with his enormous piety, he has become
the model for parish priests.
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