Saint John Mary Vianney, Priest 


Numbers 11:4-15

Psalm 80(81):12-17

Matthew 14:13-21




Today’s readings pulse with energy and inspiration! We kick things off with an incredible story from the Book of Numbers, where Moses faces the fiery complaints of the Israelites wandering in the desert. Can you imagine their struggle? Hungry, they cried out for the delicious foods of Egypt, longing for the meat and veggies they once had, while overlooking the miraculous manna from heaven! Poor Moses, feeling the weight of their complaints, turns to God with a plea for help. What a challenge!



We enter into the Gospel of St. Matthew, where we uncover a poignant moment after the death of John the Baptist. Jesus, heartbroken, seeks solitude on a boat, but guess what? The crowds don’t let Him go! They flock to Him, and driven by compassion, He springs into action, healing their sick and performing the jaw-dropping miracle of feeding over 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish! Talk about an extraordinary display of love and service!


As we look to St. John Vianney, the 19th-century saint, we find an incredible model of faithful ministry! A humble man from simple beginnings, he had an unmatched zeal for spreading God’s forgiveness and love. Renowned for his heartfelt ministry in Ars, France, he devoted countless hours to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, welcoming thousands of penitents who traveled far and wide for a chance to encounter God's grace through him. His fervent spiritual life fueled his loving outreach. St. John Vianney radiates the vibrant love of the Lord, echoing the passion of both Moses and John the Baptist. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI even named him the patron of parish priests worldwide!



Today, as we pay tribute to the "patron of priests," let’s reflect on some powerful questions for our faith journey: How fired up are we about our beliefs? Are we quick to offer forgiveness and encouragement, even to those who challenge us? Do we take the time to truly listen to those who cross our paths? Are we ready to serve our siblings in need with zeal and tirelessness? As disciples of Jesus, we are surrounded by amazing examples of dynamic, loving service toward God and our neighbors.


So, let’s lift our voices in prayer for priests and all those who serve our parishes—living, retired, or gone. May God bless us as 21st-century disciples of Jesus Crucified, filling us with a vibrant and generous love that can change the world!

Comments

  1. ChidozieAugust 5, 2025 at 9:22 AM

    AMEN! Almighty Father, may you bless all parish priest all over the world especially those in troubled areas facing persecution in Jesus mighty name. Amen

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  REPORTING LIVE FROM ROME GOOD SHEPHERD, I AM BLESSED AND SO THANKFUL!! (BEARING WITNESS TO A RARE OCCASION) 4th Sunday of Easter  Acts 13:14,​43-52 Psalm 99(100):1-3,5 Apocalypse 7:9,​14-17 John 10:27-30 May 8! What an unforgettable day! I had just wrapped up the final lecture of the day at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome with my thesis moderator, Professor Lewis Ayres. This is the same prestigious university that counts St. Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Francis Prevost among its illustrious alumni!  On my way home, I called my mom to wish her a Happy Birthday, reminding her of my dad’s passing on the same day over a decade ago. We had a good laugh about a seagull perched near the chimney of the Sistine Chapel when, out of nowhere, the news broke—“Habemus papam!” The Cardinal Deacon proclaimed it loud and clear! There was huge traffic and everyone started running to the square.  Just an hour later, the new pope, Leo XIV, emerged onto the gr...
Read more
Image
  Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor  Hebrews 8:6-13 Psalm 84(85):8,10-14 Mark 3:13-19 GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU FOR A PURPOSE  Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St. Francis de Sales, a figure emblematic of profound prayer and spirituality. His teachings emphasize the essential nature of remaining in divine love, encapsulated in his assertion that effective preaching is rooted in love itself. In contemporary discourse, there is an inclination to simplify Christianity to mere moral teachings, often overshadowing the necessity of an authentic, contemplative encounter with God. The Vatican Council's document Gaudium et Spes articulates this relationship succinctly: “The root reason for human dignity lies in humanity’s call to communion with God. From the very circumstance of our origin, we are already invited to converse with God. For man would not exist were he not created by God’s love and constantly preserved by it; and he cannot live fully according to truth unles...
Read more
Image
  21st Sunday in Ordinary Time  Isaiah 66:18-21 Psalm 116(117) Hebrews 12:5-7,​11-13 Luke 13:22-30 NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM, STEP THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR AND EMBRACE YOUR SALVATION! In the time of our Lord, the Jewish people—especially their leaders—held a profound belief that they were the cherished chosen ones of God. However, our Lord stepped onto the scene with a revolutionary message that shook their foundations. He boldly challenged the notion that the kingdom of heaven would simply be their exclusive domain. In today's gospel, He issued a striking warning: many will strive to enter, yet not all will succeed! And here’s the thrilling twist—individuals from every corner of the earth, from the east and west, from the north and south, will take their seats at the grand feast in the kingdom of God! Our Lord was on a mission to broaden horizons and elevate expectations. This extraordinary journey of expanding the kingdom didn’t stop with Him—it has been carried on b...
Read more