Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Thank you, Saint John Vianney

I went to mass this morning at a neighboring church. I find it very comfortable there no air conditioning which I prefer. The people are so friendly and kind. I am always remembered by name to join in during the rosary which is recited by the parish at 6:30 a.m. It amazes me how different this parish is than mine. The people hardly know me yet they have invited my husband and myself to holiday parties and out for coffee. I even went out for breakfast with the morning regulars last week. The pastor came and we (Around 12 people) talked about faith, courage, support.....
This other pastor didn't read today's chosen gospel, he chose Ezekiel 3: 18-21. The lesson was, If I say to the wicked man, You shall surely die; and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his wicked conduct so that he may live: that wicked man shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death.If, on the other hand, you have warned the wicked man, yet he has not turned away from his evil nor from his wicked conduct, then he shall die for his sin, but you shall save your life.... This passage always scared me, how could I be stong and pure in my warning without any judgement. So I tried to get all of my work done, but I couldn't stop thinking about things, What was God showing me. So I went to see what the Gospel was for today. As you all know it was the walking on water passage, Mathew 14 "O you of little faith." This is what I ended up reading:
The meditation for today from the MAGNIFICAT
Being Strong In Our Faith
What do we see in the greater number of Christians? Alas, a feeble and tepid faith... What use do we make, my brethren, of the precious gifts of our faith, and of the means of salvation which we find in the bosom of the Catholic Church? What connection is there between our manner of living and the sanctity of our religion? Can we say , my brethren, that our life corresponds with the precepts of the Gospel, with the example that Jesus Christ has given us? This is to say, do we love poverty, humiliation, and contempt? Do we prefer Christianity above all honors, and everything which this world possesses and desires? Do we entertain that respect, that longing, and that zeal to draw all graces we can from the sacraments, which our Lord so lavishly bestows upon us? Let us examine ourselves on this question, my brethren. Alas! how numerous and bitter are reproaches which we must make to ourselves regarding these questions!.... If you hear the Word of God, listen immediately; be strong in your faith in spite of difficulties, and never allow it to waiver, but preserve it constantly; so that you, with the wise Men,will have the grace of beholding your God face to face.
SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY
I can't even begin to thank our Lord for letting me hear that Gospel, For allowing me to read the words of Saint John Vianney, and once again this day allowing me to understand that It has to be my actions that I worry about. No matter what parish, what priest, what words I end up hearing, He is always in control. Teaching ME how to be his humble servant.