HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (MEMORIAL OF ST JOHN MARY VIANNEY, PRIEST 4/8/2021)

Numbers 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29, 34-35; Psalm 105; Matthew 15:21-28

 

The Canaanite woman manifested faith. Faith is one of the necessary routes for salvation. The woman in the Gospel had faith and so she believed that Jesus could heal her daughter. Jesus in turn tested her faith and was moved by the depth of faith she expressed. Heb. 11:6 says without faith, it is impossible to please God. This means that  you may pray and shout, climb mountains and enter valleys, book all the masses and say novena prayers but without faith; it will be impossible to please God. Faith is the only pleasant ornament that attracts God. It is an irresistible perfume. Jesus Christ could not resist the faith of all those who approached him. Thus, he would say to them “go your faith has healed you.” Friends in Christ, if faith pleases God it follows therefore that faithlessness displeases him. We go through stress because we don’t apply faith. Where faith is applied stress is reduced. Our tears do not move God; but faith does. Have faith!

St. John Baptist Mary Vianney (1786-1859) was a priest. He spent almost forty-two years of his life, devoting himself to prayer, mortification, and pastoral works. His success in directing souls made him known throughout the Christian world. Men of all ranks and conditions of life sought his guidance and advice. He was beatified by Pope St. Pius X, himself once a parish priest, and canonized by Pope Pius XI.

 

LET US PRAY

Almighty and merciful God, who made the Priest Saint John Vianney wonderful in his pastoral zeal, grant, we pray, that through his intercession and example we may in charity win brothers and sisters for Christ and attain with them eternal glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen!

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