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4th August
Homily for the Feast of St. John Marie Vianney
READ: (Jer 31: 31-34; Matt 16: 13-23)
REFLECT: Set your minds on the things of God...
Dear friends, Today Holy Mother the church celebrates the Feast of St. John Marie Vianney, a French priest who was known well for hearing confessions for almost 12 to 15 hours as many people visited him at the confessional. As a child born and grown during the time of French Revolution he had to lose many better and brighter sides of his life, however God chose him as an instrument to work for his kingdom as a simple and humble person and priest. He was not an intelligent person in academics but quite capable of grasping the plan of God and bringing many people closer to God by way of prayer and preaching.
As a simple priest of the village of Ars, he committed to the call of God, lived a holy life, inspired as many as people for God from different corners of the world. He is the patron saint of all parish priests and stands as a model to follow after the heart of Christ. St. John Marie Vianney is such an example even today because he had set his minds on things of God. So based on the readings of the day, I would like to share with you three points of reflection as to how we can set our minds on God and godly ways;
1. Recognize God:
Recognizing God daily in the humdrum of life is the proof of our love for God that we show. It adds beauty to one’s life making it joyful and beautiful. In today’s gospel we hear Jesus asking questions, “Who do people say that I am and who do you say that I am? The first was a general question and the second was a personal question. Perhaps different answers were given to the question but Peter moves a little closer and gives right answer, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Jesus acknowledges the answer of Peter and gives him a certificate as blessed one and gives him the task of building and binding the church of God on earth. Peter was able to recognize God because of his intimacy with Jesus. So if we want to recognize God in all that we do, we need to have an intimate relationship with Jesus.
2. Revere God:
Revering or respecting God is the homage that we give to the creator God who created us and who gives us till this day all the blessings possible to live on earth joyfully. Reverence to God will prove how intimate we are with God. At times we seem to be intimate with God but in reality we are not. At times we show care and concern for the loved ones but it can be a block for their growth as well. That’s the time our minds waver and are not be steady to focus on things that are above. That’s what happens to Peter. Although he recognizes Jesus yet he fails to see the divine plan of God for Jesus. Because of which Jesus rebukes him, “Get behind me Satan, your mind is not set on God but on the things of man. When the mind is set on God and godly ways, we will be able understand the divine design of God for us and for others.
3. Receive God:
Receiving God in heart is a source of joy and peace. The one with a pure and a contrite heart receives God. The one form of receiving God into our hearts is forgiveness either by receiving it to oneself or giving it others. For a heart that is pure God dwells and through the act of forgiveness we obtain peace from God. That’s what we see in the reading from Prophet Jeremiah that God is ready to forgive the iniquities of people, remember their sin no more and makes a new covenant with Israelites that He shall be their God and they shall be his people. We have a God who is ready to forgive and get back to us in relationships, although we have wandered far by our sins and sinfulness. Just as God forgives us we shall also receive God into ourselves by forgiving others and restoring the lost relationships with God, others and oneself.
RESIPOND:
Do we recognize, revere and receive God in the other in our human conditions and situations of life?
Let us recognize the goodness, revere the dignity of the other and receive them as they are as God’s gift. This will certainly take place when we set our minds on the things that are godly and on the things of God. May God bless us all in this humble Endeavour. Amen
…..But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Bishops labour in vain if they are not careful to provide their parishes with devout pastors, of exemplary life and sufficient learning, because it is the pastors who are the immediate shepherds leading the flock.” (A.E. Vol. XXIII, P. 400)- St. Francis De Sales.
“How good is our God? When we can no longer come to Him, He comes to us.”
St John Marie Vianney
Happy feast to all the priest. God Bless us all.
Live Jesus!
Fr. Ramesh George MSFS
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