A day to pray for priests.

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Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Saint John Vianney, whose feast day we celebrate today, is the patron Saint of priests. 

I ask you to pray for my own priestly ministry, that like John, I may joyfully labor for the salvation of souls all the days of my life.

In his words, that I may, “Give everything away and hold nothing back.”

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John was ordained in 1815 and lived in the quaint town of Ars, France.

Every morning before celebrating Mass, he would kiss the ground in front of his parish, reminding himself that every person who entered the church was a soul loved infinitely by God.

Thousands felt the Lord’s mercy through him. In fact, he’d spend 18 hours a day in the confessional, listening to pilgrims from across Europe. Having little time for food or sleep, he’d often live off of one potato a day.

John’s message to his people was always the same: God’s love for you is greater than any sin you can commit. Just come home. Be open. Be honest. Receive a new beginning.

Isn’t that a message we can all benefit from?

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God doesn’t stand at the judgment seat wagging his finger at us in condemnation. 

He gazes upon us with his arms wide open, seeking only one thing:

Our love in return.

Saint John Vianney, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) Pray for Priests, Twitter (2) Pinterest (3) Children of the Eucharist