August 4 is the feast of St. John Vianney, the Curé d’Ars, patron saint of parish priests and confessors, d. 1859. He was, by all accounts, a rather simple man and was only allowed to be ordained after overcoming many difficulties and obstacles. Yet, what he lacked in intelligence or élan, he more than made up for with attention to prayer, piety, penitence, and a general dedication to his ministry as pastor of a small country parish. As with any good priest, he took his roles as preacher and confessor very seriously and was well known throughout France for being wonderful at both.Living for a month at the foothills of the Alps and studying a new language is great, but it’s nonetheless important to remember exactly why it is I am here. Today’s feast is a great aide-mémoire. An excerpt of St. John Vianney’s catechetical instructions are included in the Office of Readings for today, and I was struck by his simple yet beautiful wisdom which is, I think, a good reminder for us all. A few good bits:
My little children, reflect on these words: the Christian’s treasure is not on earth but in heaven. Our thoughts, then, ought to be directed to where our treasure is. This is the glorious duty of man: to pray and to love. If you pray and love, that is where a man’s happiness lies. Prayer is nothing but union with God.... [Y]our hearts are small, but prayer stretches them and makes them capable of loving God....
How often we come to church with no idea of what to do or what to ask for. And yet, whenever we go to any human being, we know well enough why we go. And still worse, there are some who seem to speak to the good God like this: “I will only say a couple things to you, and then I will be rid of you.” I often think that when we come to adore the Lord, we would receive everything we ask for, if we would ask with living faith and a pure heart.
Words to live by. St. John Vianney, pray for us.
1 comment:
Well written article.
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