HOMILY ON ST JOHN VIANNEY

 

HOMILY FOR 4 AUGUST 2023 MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY (WITH READINGS PROPER TO THE MEMORIAL) 

Ezekiel 3:17-21 Psalm 117:1-2 Matthew 9:35-10:1

I AM CALLED TO EMULATE THE MINISTRY OF COMMITMENT AND HOLINESS OF SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY

I pray for you: May the Lord Jesus grants you the grace to learn for yourself something of the pastoral plan of St. John Mary Vianney. AMEN

Saint Jean Baptiste-Marie-Vianney lived in times similar to our own. France after the French Revolution was de-Christianized. Saint John was born in 1786, three years prior to the Revolution. The people of his time were indifferent and hostile to religion. I believe that the situation today is worse. Hostility, indifference, materialism, same-sex marriage, transgenderism, abortion etc. are just some of the evils that afflict us today.

St John Vianney was a man with a vision. Jesus Christ was the centre and purpose of his life. We all know of his heroic ministry to the people of Ars. His passion for souls exemplified in the confessional, sometimes up to 16 hours a day. His love for the priesthood, the Mass, and the Sacraments, his devotion to the sick, spiritual direction, charitable works, and many others pastoral duties.

In the ministry of John Mary Vianney, I find his total commitment so enriching. His commitment to Jesus Christ, to the Church and to the priesthood was heroic and of a supernatural nature. Many people, after working many years look forward to retirement. But John Vianney never thought of retirement. His priestly ministry was dedicated to the people of God. God has called every one of us to love and to serve him. 

John Vianney overcame enormous obstacles to become a priest. His heroic commitment encourages us to keep going, not to give up because at the end of the day Christ will triumph. He has been my celebrity in ministerial priesthood. I suggest and affirm that all seminarians and priests should imitate the commitment of this holy Saint and dedicate their lives to our Lord Jesus Christ and to His Blessed Mother Mary. Every year, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, patron saint of all priests on August 4. However, this extraordinary model of holiness and priestly life was actually known to me half-way in philosophy one, in 2009/2010 during our Spiritual Direction. Since then, St John Vianney has been a very close companion in my spiritual life, always gently encouraging and pointing me towards God.

Show me the way to Ars, and I will show you the way to heaven were the words of this saint to a young shepherd boy when he was on his way to Ars, his new parish assignment. These profound words of St John Vianney show the richness of his interior life and deep relationship with God. Every earthly moment of his life was directed towards God, putting his entire life into the hands of God, both in times of happiness and amid trials. And, many trials did he face! St John Vianney faced great discouragement, especially when he was dismissed from the seminary due to his low aptitude for studies, especially the Latin. In those days, studies were done in Latin but he is from France. He later engaged in Private Studies to learn Latin, and went back to seminary. He finally become a Priest.  Another moment of his discouragement was when he was assigned to Ars, a town of great indifference towards God. However, despite these setbacks, he kept persevering through constant prayer and many voluntary penances, crying out to God, O my God, grant me the conversion of my parish: I consent to suffer whatever you wish, for as long as I live.

Filled with the ardent love that Christ has for his flock, this humble priest not only converted his entire town, but also the huge multitude of people that came from all over the world. In fact, he would devote more than 15 or more hours daily just to hear confessions and it was there that countless miracles and extraordinary cures would  take  place.

The pastoral zeal of St John Vianney was rooted in his deep devotion to the Eucharist and his desire to win as many souls as he could for Christ. He conformed his entire life to Christ and would be found deep in prayer even into the wee hours of the morning.

What attracts me to St John Vianney is his deep love and simplicity after the heart of Christ and the Church. One of his teachings included, Here is a rule for everyday life: do not do anything which you cannot offer to God. It is this same single-heartedness and virtue of purity which I greatly desire to emulate and to live out in my life every day. It is definitely not easy but the life of this humble saint shows that it is possible as long as I keep turning to God daily and keep trying! In my seminary formation, I have also come to a greater awareness of my own limitations and weaknesses. In such moments of discouragement, I would turn to St John Vianney for inspiration and encouragement to teach me to allow God into that very area itself. 

Oftentimes it is very uncomfortable and painful but somehow, the grace of God would always see me through all of these moments. Truly it is as the saint himself said, Do not distrust the providence of God. He who made your corn to grow will assuredly help to gather it in. It is through this total dependence on the grace of God that St John Vianney was transformed into the saint he probably never thought he could be! Deep within me, I also believe that it is through facing all of my own trials with the Lord that He is also forming and shaping me to become the saint that He wants me to be! Life is a miracle with Jesus Christ and the life of St John Vianney is indeed a great testament and witness to the power of Christs transforming and redeeming love. Let us turn to St John Vianney for his encouragement especially in these trying times to be renewed in our love and dependence on God. Saint John Vianney is the Patron Saint of Diocesan Priests and Parish Priests

In the first reading, our Lord God makes us watchmen over his household. He has given us the grace to hear his word and freely proclaim them to Gods own people. Every child of God must uphold righteousness.  

The Psalmist today asks us to praise the Lord God for his strong love and faithfulness upon us always. While we praise God, we should also proclaim his Good News through our deeds as exemplified by Saint John Mary Vianney; and also through our words.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness. And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. God is making you the shepherd today. And he has given you the priestly power to protect Children of God, heal them, deliver them from the hands of evil people and spirit.

MEDITATION Am I totally committed to my Christian life? Do I trust God? Am i ready to suffer persecution for Gods sake? How much do I take care of those entrusted to me by God? Do I accord great importance to the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist in my life as a priest, in my life as a Child of God, in my ministry as a priest? 

PRAYER Lord, please, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, let me be a light to your people, let me cherish the sacrament of reconciliation; let me be committed to my Christian Life. Through Christ Our Lord. AMEN

O DIVINE WORD WHO TOOK FLESH FOR HUMAN SAKE, REDEEM US IN OUR SITUATION

© Rev Fr Utazi Prince Marie Benignus Zereuwa