Tuesday, August 4, 2026

 

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest

(Jeremiah 30:1-2.12-15.18-22; Matthew 14:22-26)

During his long ministry St. John Vianney developed a reputation as a prescient confessor and a strict preacher. Coming of age during the French revolutionary years, he discerned the contours of the Christian life in a landscape of unbelief.  Although he mostly lived in a rural parish, he attracted tens of thousands of people whom he assisted to grow closer to Christ.

Pope St. John XXIII named St. John Vianney the patron of parish priests.  Like all priests, he took a risk something like that of Peter in today’s gospel.  Walking on water seeking the Lord can describe the priestly vocation. The candidate must realize that there will be no wife to give consolation on the journey and no children to provide meaning and assistance.  Rather he must continually look in faith for the Lord’s support. 

In truth, Jesus leads all of us who make a conscientious effort to follow him onto water.  We will at times have to spurn the world’s wisdom and companionship.  We may come to feel like we are sinking.  However, we know that if we trust in him Jesus will not allow us to perish.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, priest

(Jeremiah 31:1-7; Matthew 15:21-28)

When finishing the annual Passover meal, Jews say together, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Probably even Jews living in Jerusalem express this hope. For Jews Jerusalem is not so much a place as it is a state of mind. It is shalom, peace, under God’s protection. It is the heavenly state.

Jeremiah’s prophecy in the first reading promises that the Jews will return to their land which certainly includes Jerusalem. In the desert, as the city of Babylon must have appeared to them, they would be liberated from their sins. Then the Lord will look after their safe return. Christians take a broader view of the prophecy. For us liberation comes through Christ’s death and resurrection which does not put us in Jerusalem so much as puts Jerusalem in each of us. This takes place by Christ imparting his Spirit to us so that we might live intimately with him.

Today the Church remembers a man who lived a rather ordinary life in a truly remarkable way. St. John Vianney was a parish priest in the French village of Ars. Yet he dedicated himself to the Lord in every respect and became known for wisdom as well as piety. People came from all over the country seeking his solace. It was as if all the glory of Jerusalem beamed in his soul.

Homilette for Monday, August 4, 2008

Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, priest

(Matthew 14:22-36)

George Bernanos’ novel Diary of a Country Priest portrays the life of St. John Vianney. Toward its conclusion, when the priest knows that his death is imminent, he says, “What does it matter, grace is everywhere.” His sanctity assures him that death is no obstacle for the grace of Christ. Rather, that grace will lift him through death like an airplane soaring through a dark cloud into the light of the stratosphere.

Jesus’ disciples in the boat being tossed about by the tempest have not fully learned about grace. Without Jesus physically present they fear that they will perish in the sea. Jesus is never far away, however, and his saving grace surrounds them. They must only trust in him like the sick coming to him for a cure. He is ready to save them.

Matthew, the evangelist, seems to have a symbolic intent in relating this episode. The disciples in a boat without Jesus present may be the Church after the resurrection, now as well as 1950 years ago. The darkness of night has always been associated with evil, and along with the turbulent waters it appears as death-dealing. Church-members must grasp the lesson of grace. We have only to trust in Christ, and his grace will see us through any turmoil.