Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint John Mary Vianney, P. (04th August, 2018) on the Gospel and
the Memorial
Jer 26:11-16.24;
Ps 68:15-16.30-31.33-34. (R. cf. v. 14);
Matt 14:1-12.
Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, John Mary Vianney (May 8,
1786 – August 4, 1859) was born in Dardilly, France. He was raised in a
Catholic home and the family often helped the poor and housed St. Benedict
Joseph Labre when he made his pilgrimage to Rome. It was very difficult for him
to comprehend Latin lectures. He was eventually ordained a deacon in June 1815
and a priest on August 12, 1815. Fr. Vianney was appointed parish priest of the
Ars parish in 1818. He spent 11 to 12 hours at confession during winter and about
16 hours during summer. He refused to retire. By 1853, Fr. Vianney had
attempted to run away from Ars four times to become a monk. He was the champion
of the poor. On October 3, 1873, Pope Pius IX proclaimed him “Venerable” and on
January 8, 1905, Pope Pius X beatified him. St. John Vianney was canonized on
May 31, 1925.[1]
Topic: When ego becomes centric.
When Herod heard about Jesus, he said that John the Baptist
had been raised from the dead. He bound and imprisoned him because John
condemned his adulterous union with his brother Philip’s wife. Herod would have
killed him but he feared the crowd who regarded him as a prophet. However, the daughter
of Herodias’ dance on his birthday made him to promise on oath to grant
whatever she might ask. Following her mother’s prompting she asked, “Give me
the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” Although Herod was grieved yet
he instructed that John’s head be given to the girl because of his oath and his
guests. The girl took it to her mother.
When Herod could think about someone else, he feared the
crowds. He could command that John’s head be given to the girl because he was
thinking about himself alone. Otherwise, what else could have removed the fear
of the crowd in him? His thought of his oath and what his guests would think of
him carried the day. The anger in Herodias set fire that could not be quenched
by Herod’s feeling of extreme sadness.
Often we see both Herod and Herodias at play in us. Let no
one allow anger to lead him/her into sin, cf. Eph 4:26. And “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow
to anger” (Jas 1:19). We are nothing
without God, cf. 2Cor 3:5. We ought to
follow the example of Saint John Mary Vianney and glorify God in everything we
do, cf. 1Cor 6:20.
Bible Reading: 2Cor 4:1-10.
Thought for today: Worship God alone.
Let us pray: May God help us to do His will always
– Amen.
Saint John Mary Vianney – Pray for us.
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