A reading of the holy Gospel according to Mt 15: 21-28
At that time Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did him homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.
REFLECTION
"great is your faith"
St John Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests and is one of the Patrons of PAPA. St Alphonsu Liguori, the patron saint of confessors, is the other saint. His feast day was celebrated August 1.
St John Vianney is better known as the Curé d'Ars, the French town where he was a pastor since he became a priest.
He overcame obstacles and performed the impossible. Though he was a poor student, his desire to be a priest never left him and he pursued his seminarian studies. Private tutoring finally opened the doors for his ordination. Other impossible deeds included uniting and converting the local townspeople to give up their rowdy carousing ways and attend Mass. Fasting and sleepless nights praying were undertaken by St John Vianney for their conversion.
He established La Providence, a home for girls. He had complete trust in God to provide the spiritual and material needs of the home. Example of his faith in God was the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Flour. There was not enough flour to bake an oven full of bread. They had only enough for 3 loaves of bread and St John Vianney said to go ahead and use all the flour. There was an overflowing of dough as if they had enough flour. Then there was the Miracle of the Wine. A cask of wine broke and there was just a little bit that was saved. It was poured into the cask and there was wine for use for many days.
He always pointed to God and the intercession of the saints, especially St Philomena. He was on fire for God and he recommended daily attendance at Holy Mass, frequent Sacrament of Penance, fasting, abstinence, sacrificing and offering up crosses for repentance and graces. He spent time in Adoration with every thought, action, and devotion for the Lord.
St John Vianney knew about life and the enemies of the Church and the priests. His famous quote is, "A priest goes to Heaven or a priest goes to Hell with a thousand people behind."
With St John Vianney as the Patron of PAPA, it is our duty to pray for priests. (PAPA Prayer for Priest)
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