Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Matthew 16:13-23
Jesus said to Peter “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.” Jesus reprimanded Peter because he held a contrary view to the Divine plan. It was God’s plan for Jesus to suffer, die and be raised to life. But Peter held an earthly Messianic Kingship about Christ and so he couldn’t admit such defeat. Proverbs 19:21 “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the Lord will prevail.” Beloved, let us learn to align with the Divine plan. If we despise his plan we shall live in emptiness. Isaiah 55:8 reminds us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are his ways our ways. Similarly, Paul says “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Therefore, let us learn to submit to the Divine plan.
Today the Church celebrates the memorial St. John Mary Vianney. Despite his poor intellectual background, he was distinguished by his level of commitment to Christ through prayer, mortification, and pastoral works. He is the patron saint of parish priests.
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.
