Jesus is approached by a Canaanite woman. She is desperate to get help for her daughter who is tormented by a demon. Yet, not being a member of the nation of Israel, Jews do not see her as being included in God’s plan of salvation. However, ultimately, it is the faith Jesus sees in her that saves her.
St John Vianney is the saint we celebrate today. He is known as the Cure of Ars from the name of the French village where he lived most of his life as a priest. Born in 1786, John Vianney was a student during the era of the French Revolution; it was a time in which the Catholic faith was being oppressed in France. Vianney was known as the least capable student in seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood, even though he failed his final oral exam in seminary. He was sent to a small French village where it was thought that he would do little harm. In many ways, we can say that John Vianney was judged just as the Canaanite woman was judged by Jewish society. He led a very strict, devout life as a priest, with his example of faith speaking very loudly to his parishioners. He became well-known for his preaching, for his compassion as a confessor, and for his spiritual direction. He really touched the lives of the people. Vianney had more then 300 people coming to visit him each day from different parts of France. John Vianney is the patron saint of diocesan priests – he is certainly a great example for those of us who are Diocesan priests. I want to end with a quote from John Vianney himself on a homily he did on happiness. It contains a good message for us to take away from his spirituality: “My God, I give you my heart, and since you are so good as to give me another day, give me the grace that everything I do will be for your honor and for the salvation of my soul.”
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