Reflection
Discipleship, Hope, and Healing
…St. John Marie Vianney…
Today the Church calls us to a deeper sense of discipleship as we meet the serious challenges of life today. The “team” of the prophet Jeremiah, Jesus, and St. John Vianney team up to personally bolster our 21st Century discipleship.
Both Scripture readings are dramatic. Jeremiah is sent to witness hope to the people of Israel who had betrayed their faith and now faced serious military opposition; God lovingly reminds them “…you shall be my people, and I will be your God.” In the Gospel selection Jesus preaches to multitudes, then Jesus sends His disciples by boat to the next ministry location as He pauses for prayer.
While they made their way there a fierce storm repeatedly rocked their boat – and they were deathly afraid! Jesus comes towards them walking on the stormy waters; Peter tries to walk on the water towards Jesus, but his lack of faith causes him to sink…and Jesus snatches him from the water!
The result: the disciples’ faith was strengthened, and Jesus continues his ministry to teach and heal.
Today we are called to a deeper faith. We are to witness God’s healing love by our lives – in all our humanness. Such was the case with the 19th Century saint we celebrate today: St. John Vianney. A simple parish priest, he served God’s people in Ars, France. Flowing from his intense spiritual life based on prayer and mortification, John Vianney regularly spent long hours sharing God’s love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation…ministering to thousands of penitents who at times travelled great distances to share a few moments celebrating God’s mercy, forgiveness and love in the Sacrament. He became the means God used to lovingly witness the transforming power of God’s love. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI named him patron of priests and parish clergy worldwide…and we priests gratefully say “yes!”
Each of us are called to discipleship in a world in need of healing and hope. We may not have the personal gifts of Jeremiah or John Vianney – yet as women and men of faith we are invited to make the most of our strengths and weaknesses. A listening ear, a gentle smile, a kind thought, a simple prayer, an encouraging word or deed of affirmation or forgiveness: there is no limit to the hope and healing God can share through you and I. May we and our global community experience God’s healing, hope, and love!
