Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 08-04-12. M. St. John Mary Vianney, Priest

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 08-03-12 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

August 4, 2012

Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, priest

 

Reading 1 Jer 26:11-16, 24

The priests and prophets said to the princes and to all the people,
"This man deserves death;
he has prophesied against this city,
as you have heard with your own ears."
Jeremiah gave this answer to the princes and all the people:
"It was the LORD who sent me to prophesy against this house and city
all that you have heard.
Now, therefore, reform your ways and your deeds;
listen to the voice of the LORD your God,
so that the LORD will repent of the evil with which he threatens you.
As for me, I am in your hands;
do with me what you think good and right.
But mark well: if you put me to death,
it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves,
on this city and its citizens.
For in truth it was the LORD who sent me to you,
to speak all these things for you to hear."

Thereupon the princes and all the people
said to the priests and the prophets,
"This man does not deserve death;
it is in the name of the LORD, our God, that he speaks to us."

So Ahikam, son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah,
so that he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Rescue me out of the mire; may I not sink!
may I be rescued from my foes,
and from the watery depths.
Let not the flood-waters overwhelm me,
nor the abyss swallow me up,
nor the pit close its mouth over me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Gospel Mt 14:1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus
and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist.
He has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him."

Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison
on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
for John had said to him,
"It is not lawful for you to have her."
Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people,
for they regarded him as a prophet.
But at a birthday celebration for Herod,
the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests
and delighted Herod so much
that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for.
Prompted by her mother, she said,
"Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
The king was distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests who were present,
he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison.
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who took it to her mother.
His disciples came and took away the corpse
and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

[markomalley]

Aug 04, Evening Prayer for Saturday of the 17th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV:
Ordinary: 668
Proper of Seasons: 53
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, 785

Christian Prayer:
Ordinary: 694
Proper of Seasons: 622
Psalter: Sunday, Week II, 775

Evening Prayer I for Sunday in Ordinary Time

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

At the name of Jesus
Ev’ry knee shall bow,
Ev’ry tongue confess him
King of glory now;
‘Tis the Father’s pleasure,
We should call him Lord,
Who from the beginning
Was the mighty Word.

Humbled for a reason,
To receive a name
From the lips of sinners,
Unto whom he came,
Faithfully he bore it,
Spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious,
When from death he passed.

Bore it up triumphant,
With its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures,
To the central height,
To the throne of Godhead,
To the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory
Of that perfect rest.

Melody: King’s Weston 65.65.D; Music: R. Vaughan Williams, d. 1958; Text: C. Noel, d. 1877, alt.
“At the Name of Jesus” performed by Mount St. Mary’s Vesper’s Schola is available from Amazon.com.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.

Psalm 119
XIV (Nun) A meditation on God’s law
This is my commandment: that you should love one another ( John 15:12).

Your word is a lamp for my steps
and a light for my path.
I have sworn and have made up my mind
to obey your decrees.

Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.

Lord, I am deeply afflicted:
by your word give me life.
Accept, Lord, the homage of my lips
and teach me your decrees.

Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.

Though I carry my life in my hands,
I remember your law.
Though the wicked try to ensnare me
I do not stray from your precepts.

Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.

Your will is my heritage for ever,
the joy of my heart.
I set myself to carry out your will
in fullness, for ever.

Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Let your Word, Father, be a lamp for our feet and a light to our path, so that we may understand what you wish to teach us and follow the path your light marks out for us.

Ant. Your word, O Lord, is the lantern to light our way, alleluia.

Ant. 2 When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

Psalm 16
The Lord himself is my heritage
The Father raised up Jesus, freeing him from the grip of death (Acts 2:24).

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: “You are my God.
My happiness lies in you alone.”

Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

He has put into my heart a marvellous love
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.
Never will I offer their offerings of blood.
Never will I take their name upon my lips.

Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight:
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.

Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.

Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord Jesus, uphold those who hope in you and give us your counsel, so that we may know the joy of your resurrection and deserve to be among the saints at your right hand.

Ant. When I see your face, O Lord, I shall know the fullness of joy, alleluia.

Ant. 3 Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.

Canticle — Philippians 2:6-11
Christ, God’s holy servant

Though he was in the form of God,
Jesus did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.

Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.

Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.

Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.

He was known to be of human estate,
and it was thus that he humbled himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!

Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.

Because of this,
God highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
above every other name,
So that at Jesus’ name
every knee must bend
in the heavens, on the earth,
and under the earth,
and every tongue proclaim
to the glory of God the Father:
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Let everything in heaven and on earth bend the knee at the name of Jesus, alleluia.

READING Colossians 1:2b-6a

May God our Father give you grace and peace. We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love you bear toward all the saints–moved as you are by the hope held in store for you in heaven. You heard of this hope through the message of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, has borne fruit, and has continued to grow in your midst, as it has everywhere in the world.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell)
A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

RESPONSORY

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
may the name of the Lord be praised.
– From the rising of the sun to its setting,
may the name of the Lord be praised.

His splendor reaches far beyond the heavens;
– may the name of the Lord be praised.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– From the rising of the sun to its setting,
may the name of the Lord be praised.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. A great crowd gathered around Jesus, and they had nothing to eat. He called his disciples and said: I have compassion on all these people.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. A great crowd gathered around Jesus, and they had nothing to eat. He called his disciples and said: I have compassion on all these people.

INTERCESSIONS

God aids and protects the people he has chosen for his inheritance. Let us give thanks to him and proclaim his goodness:
– Lord, we trust in you.

We pray for Benedict, our Pope, and for all our bishops,
protect them and in your goodness make them holy.
– Lord, we trust in you.

May the sick feel their companionship with the suffering Christ,
and know that they will enjoy his eternal consolation.
– Lord, we trust in you.

In your goodness have compassion on the homeless,
help them to find proper housing.
– Lord, we trust in you.

In your goodness give and preserve the fruits of the earth,
so that each day there may be bread enough for all.
– Lord, we trust in you.

Lord, you attend the dying with great mercy,
grant them an eternal dwelling.
– Lord, we trust in you.

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Concluding Prayer

Draw near to your servants,
O Lord, and answer their prayers
with unceasing kindness, that,
for those who glory in you as their Creator and guide,
you may restore what you have created
and keep safe what you have restored.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.A

[markomalley]

Aug 04, Night Prayer for Saturday of the 17th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours:
Vol I, Page 1169
Vol II, Page 1619
Vol III, Page 1264
Vol IV, Page 1233

Christian Prayer:
Page 1034

Night Prayer after Evening Prayer I

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of conscience:

We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better.

Lord, Jesus you healed the sick:
Lord, have mercy
– Lord have mercy

Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners:
Christ, have mercy.
– Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength:
Lord, have mercy
– Lord have mercy

HYMN

O Christ, Who art the Light and Day,
Thou drivest darksome night away!
We know Thee as the Light of light
Illuminating mortal sight.

All holy Lord, we pray to Thee,
Keep us tonight from danger free;
Grant us, dear Lord, in Thee to rest,
So be our sleep in quiet blest.

Let not the tempter round us creep
With thoughts of evil while we sleep,
Nor with his wiles the flesh allure
And make us in Thy sight impure.

And while the eyes soft slumber take,
Still be the heart to Thee awake,
Be Thy right hand upheld above
Thy servants resting in Thy love.

Yea, our defender, be Thou nigh,
To bid the powers of darkness fly;
Keep us from sin, and guide for good
Thy servants purchased by Thy blood.

Remember us, dear Lord, we pray,
While in this mortal flesh we stay:
’Tis Thou who dost the soul defend -
Be present with us to the end.

All praise to God the Father be.
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.

Amen.

Words: Latin, before 800.; Translated by: William J. Copeland and others, 1906; Alfreton, Saint Bartholomew, Christe qui lux
O Christ Who Art The Light And Day by Cambridge Singers is available from Amazon.com.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4
Thanksgiving
The resurrection of Christ was God’s supreme and wholly marvelous work (Saint Augustine).

When I call, answer me, O God of justice;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!

O men, how long will your hearts be closed,
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?

It is the Lord who grants favors to those whom he loves;
the Lord hears me whenever I call him.

Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still
Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.

“What can bring us happiness?” many say.
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.

You have put into my heart a greater joy
than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.

I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once
for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Have mercy, Lord, and hear my prayer.

Ant. 2 In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.

Psalm 134
Evening prayer in the temple
Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great (Revelation 19:5).

O come, bless the Lord,
all you who serve the Lord,
who stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God.

Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord through the night.

May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who made both heaven and earth.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. In the silent hours of night, bless the Lord.

READING Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Canticle

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Concluding Prayer

Lord,
be with us throughout this night.
When day comes may we rise from sleep
to rejoice in the resurrection of your Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
– Amen.

Blessing

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

[Salvation]

Saint John Mary Vianney, Priest

Saint John Mary Vianney, Priest
Cure of Ars
Memorial
August 4th

unknown artist

(1786-1859) Born new Lyons, France, he was ordained in 1815 in Grenoble, and in 1818 was assigned to the parish of Ars, where he spent the rest of his life. He was best known for his steadfast care of souls, for his spirit of prayer and mortification and, above all, for his tireless dedication to the Sacrament of Penance. He spent most of his life in the confessional, drawing energy from his intimate and constant friendship with our Lord in the Eucharist. Pius XI declared him Patron of Parish Priest.

Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003

Collect:
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,
one God, for ever and ever. +Amen.

First Reading: Ezekiel 3:17-21
At the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, you shall give them warning from Me. If I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you will have saved your life. Again, if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and you will have saved your life."

Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:1
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every infirmity. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

And He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity.

---

SACERDOTII NOSTRI PRIMORDIA -- On the Priesthood --ENCYCLICAL OF POPE JOHN XXIII -- Centennial Celebration of ST. JOHN VIANNEY, AUGUST 1, 1959

---

St. John Vianney Prayer

"O my God, come to me, so that You may dwell in me and I may dwell in you."

[Salvation]

The Devil’s Most Effective Foe
On a Saint Who Taught and Guided Holy Priests
Pope Benedict to declare St. Jean Vianney Patron of all Priests
Praying People into the Confessional (the example of St. John Vianney)

The divine depository in our hands (so you want to go to heaven?) [Catholic Caucus]
Revitalizing Your Priesthood (The Grace of Ars -- about St. John Vianney)
A Seed of Glory and Eternal Life in the Holy Priest's Flesh [Death of St. John Vianney, Curé d’Ars]
The Priesthood and the Mass
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » Follow one Master only
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » The World is Everything - God, Nothing!
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » We are wretched creatures
Bishop Olmsted on the Devil and John Vianney
St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé d'Ars
Saint John MarIe Baptist Vianney, Cure of Ars (1786-1859)

Novena In Honor Of Saint John Marie Vianney
Curé d'Ars: Model Priest [Year of the Priest]
Pope: There's an Answer to Empty Confessionals [Catholic Caucus]
St. John Vianney's Pastoral Plan
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » Lost Works
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars » Have You Religion in Your Heart?
Sermons of St. John Vianney - Cure of Ars: The Dreadful State of the Lukewarm Soul (Catholic Caucus)
Play about life of St. John Vianney to tour U.S. in 2009
Aug 4, St. John Marie Vianney - Patron of Parish Priests
Centuries Old Relic (heart of St. John Vianney) Comes To U.S.

Sainted priest’s heart - Thousands await chance to see incorrupt relic
Saint's heart to go on display
Excerpts from the Sermons of the Cure of Ars
St. John Vianney’s Pastoral Plan
Relics of Curé of Ars Make Stop in Papal Chapel
HOMILY by St. Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney, the Curé of Ars CHARITY
St John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests(1786-1859)[Cure of Ars]
News from the Apostolic Administration of St. John Vianney Fall 2002, Volume 1 - Number 1
The Cure Of Ars: Jean-Marie Vianney
“Oh, how great is a priest!" [The Curé d'Ars regarding bishops/priests)

[Salvation]

Information: St. John Vianney

Feast Day:	August 4
Born:	May 8, 1786, Dardilly, France
Died:	August 4, 1859, Ars-sur-Formans, France
Canonized:	1925, Rome by Pope Pius XI
Major Shrine:	Shrine of St. John Vianney; Ars-sur-Formans, France
Patron of:	parish priests; confessors

[Salvation]

Interactive Saints for Kids

St. John Vianney

Feast Day: August 4
Born: 1768 :: Died: 1859

John Mary Vianney was born in Lyons, in France. As a child he took care of his father's sheep. He loved to pray but he also loved to play horseshoes. When John was eighteen, he asked his father if he could become a priest. His father was worried because John had become a big help on the family farm but two years later his father agreed.

When he was twenty years old, John studied under Father Balley. The priest was very patient but John became sad when he found it difficult to learn Latin. He then decided to walk sixty miles, which was a very long walk, to the shrine of St. John Francis Regis whose feast we celebrate on June 16. John prayed to St. John Francis for help. After the pilgrimage, he still found his lessons difficult but now he was not sad. He just decided to study harder.

John was finally able to enter the seminary to become a priest. No matter how much he tried, he found his studies quite hard. In the final exams, which were spoken, not written, John had to face a group of teachers and answer their questions. He was very worried and could not complete the test.

Yet, because John was a holy man, he was full of common sense and understood what the Church taught about the subjects. He knew the right answers when asked what should be done in this case or that. He just couldn't say those answers in the difficult way they were taught in the Latin text books. John was ordained and became a priest anyway. He understood what his job was as a priest and everyone knew he was a good man.

After he became a priest, he was sent to a little parish called Ars. Father Vianney fasted, prayed and did hard penance so that God would save the people of his parish from sin. The people of his parish were not all good. They drank too much liquor, used bad language, worked even on Sundays and never went to Church.

Then God heard Fr. Vianney's prayer and one by one the liquor shops closed down. People slowly started going to Church for Mass and began worshipping God.

God gave John the power to see into people's minds and to know the future. Because of this gift, he converted many sinners and helped people make the right choices in life.

Hundreds of pilgrims began to come to Ars and St. John Vianney spent twelve to sixteen hours everyday hearing confessions. He really wanted to spend the rest of his life in a monastery as a monk; instead, he stayed forty-two years at Ars and died there in 1859 at the age of seventy-three.

[Salvation]

 

Catholic

Almanac:

Saturday, August 4

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the Memorial of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests. Assigned to a poorly attended parish, he quickly became known for his preaching and confessional skills. Thousands returned to the faith because of him. He died in 1859.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Daily Readings for: August 04, 2012
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: 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, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

• French Pea Soup

ACTIVITIES

• Attitudes toward Miracles
• Namedays
• Religion in the Home for Elementary School: August
• Religion in the Home for Preschool: August
• What is a Nameday?

PRAYERS

• The Immaculate Heart
• Novena In Honor of Saint John Marie Vianney
• Litany in Honor of St. John Vianney

LIBRARY

• 'Ars Is No Longer Ars!' | Paolo Risso
• Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia (On St. John Vianney) | Pope John XXIII
• The Cure of Ars | Pope John Paul II
• Trials of a Shepherd | Msgr. Paul E. Campbell M.A., Litt.D., Ed.D.

Ordinary Time: August 4th

Memorial of St. John Vianney, priest

Old Calendar: St. Dominic, confessor

St. John Baptist Mary Vianney (1786-1859) was born in Dardilly and died in Ars, France. Although his talents were limited and his education meager, he was ordained a priest in 1815. After three years at Ecully, he was appointed parish priest of Ars. Here he spent almost forty-two years of his life, devoting himself to prayer, mortification, and pastoral works. His success in directing souls made him known throughout the Christian world. Men of all ranks and conditions of life sought his guidance and advice. He was beatified by Pope St. Pius X, himself once a parish priest, and canonized by Pope Pius XI.

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Dominic. St. John Vianney's feast is on August 8. St. Dominic's feast in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is celebrated on August 8.

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St. John Vianney
During the French Revolution a small band of Ursuline nuns was imprisoned in the Bastille. To cheer her disconsolate companions, one of the group passed wheaten discs of bread, cut from the loaf of the daily rations, to memorialize the happy days when they were free and could receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. At that time all religious schools and churches were closed, and those who harbored priests were imprisoned.

At the Vianney farmhouse near Dardilly, France, fugitive priests were offered a refuge. Here their son was prepared in his tenth year for the reception of Holy Communion by a hunted priest.

While tending his father's sheep, John Vianney fashioned a small statue of Our Lady out of clay. He hid it in the hollow of an old tree with this petition: "Dear Lady Mary, I love you very much; you must bring Jesus back to His tabernacles very soon!"

On a visit to his aunt at Ecully, John listened to her praises of Father Balley, the parish priest, and he sought the Father's advice regarding his vocation to the priesthood. The pastor appraised the overgrown, awkward youth of faltering speech and devoid of general education. Though John was unable to answer the questions pertaining to earthly science which Father asked him, yet, when the priest put to him the questions of the catechism, his face became luminous with lively interest. He answered every question correctly, and in a manner beyond his years. The amazed pastor took this evidence as a sign from heaven, prophesying, "You will become a priest!"

The ensuing years brought many trials to John. He was conscripted; his mother died; he failed often in his studies. Ordained as a Mass priest, August 12, 1815, he remarked to Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy: "Here is your priest, O Blessed Mother! Stay close to me. Help me to be a good priest!"

As a curate and as a pastor, St. John Vianney's daily instruction on the catechism found an inspired audience, among whom were noted orators such as Père Lacordaire, O.P., the famed preacher of Notre Dame. The saintly pastor performed many miracles, but the greatest was his own manner of Eucharistic living. It was his Lord, living in Father Vianney, who made him "spend and be spent" in ceaseless service for both sinner and saint in the sacred tribunal of penance.

— Rev. Vincent F. Kienberger, O.P.

Patron: priests; confessors; Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa; diocese of Kansas City, Kansas.

Things to Do:

• The Collect praises St. John Vianney's zeal for souls and his spirit of prayer and penance. Say a special prayer today that by his example and intercession we too may win the souls of our brothers for Christ.

• Say a prayer for priests that they may persevere in their vocation. If you haven't been to confession for a while resolve to do so right away and be sure that you remember to say an extra prayer for your confessor.

• From the Catholic Culture library: Pope John XXIII holds St. John Vianney as a model for the priesthood in this Encyclical.

• Read this longer life of the Curé of Ars and also these excerpts from his sermons.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24

“It was the Lord who sent me to prophesy.” (Jeremiah 26:12)

Did you know that you are able to say these same words that Jeremiah said? It’s true. When you were bap­tized, the priest or deacon anointed you with holy oil, giving you a share in Jesus’ own prophetic calling—a calling that Jeremiah foreshadowed as he preached to the people of Jerusalem.

Appropriately enough, today is also the memorial of St. John Vianney, the patron of parish priests and a prophetic voice in the nine­teenth century town of Ars, France. And to top it all off, in the Gospel reading, we see how King Herod responded to the prophetic minis­try of John the Baptist. Each of these stories can teach us volumes!

John Vianney was not an out­standing seminary student or an imposing figure. But he prayed—so much so that God gave him a tre­mendous insight into the human soul. When news spread of his close­ness to the Lord and his gifts of discernment, people began flocking to his confessional from all over. As a result of his humility and prayerful witness, thousands were converted.

Jeremiah was a more fiery char­acter! His words of rebuke had displeased the religious leaders, but even when he was threatened with death, Jeremiah stood strong. He knew God had told him what to say and he would not back down. By contrast, Herod seemed to spend his entire career making decisions based on what people would think of him instead of trying to understand what role God had given him in the life of his people.

What’s the lesson here? Seek God! That’s the only way to dis­cover and fulfill your own prophetic calling. Who knows what kind of courage and creativity you will dis­cover for your everyday witness as you gaze upon the Lord and let him gaze upon you? You have a power­ful baptismal anointing to speak the word of God in ways that can turn people’s hearts back to God—just as Jeremiah and John the Baptist and John Vianney did!

“Father, you have called me by name and anointed me to proclaim your word. Now I need your guidance. How do I remain faithful to you? How do I stand strong? How do I discern my role in your kingdom? Lord, I want to be pleasing to you!”

Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34 Matthew 14:1-12

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY AND THE HOLY EUCHARIST 

THE SAINT’S FEAST DAY: AUGUST 4 

• JESUS CHRIST found a way by which He could ascend into Heaven and yet remain on the earth. He instituted the adorable Sacrament of the Eucharist so that He might stay with us, and be the Food of our soul; that He might console us and be our Companion. – Sermon on Communion.

• WHEN we are before the Blessed Sacrament, let us open our heart; our good God will open His. We shall go to Him; He will come to us; the one to ask, the other to receive. It will be like a breath from one to the other. – Catechism on the Real Presence (Sp.). 

• “ARE we in affliction?” says St. John Chrysostom; “we shall find all manner of consolation at Mass. Are we tempted? Let us hear Holy Mass, and we shall find there a way of overcoming the Devil.” – Eucharistic Meditation 24. 

• DO not be afraid of people saying that going to Mass on a week-day is only for those who have nothing to do. … Are you ashamed to serve God for fear of being despised? – Eucharistic Meditation 25. 

• PEOPLE talk about Lazarus who had the joy of entertaining the Divine Savior in his home; but Lazarus only had Him by his side, while we, if we will, may have Him in our heart just as often as we wish. – On Communion (C.). 

• OUR LORD is hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting for us to come and visit Him. … See how good He is! … If He had appeared before us now in all His glory, we should not have dared to approach Him; but He hides Himself like one in prison, saying, “You do not see Me, but that does not matter; ask Me for all you want. …” – Eucharistic Meditation 19. 

• 
• GOD has created my heart only for Himself. He asks me to give it to Him that He may make it happy. – Eucharistic Meditation 27. 

• LIVE on Him that you may live for Him. – Of Holly Communion (M.). 

• AH! if only God saw in us the same humility and sel-abasement as He saw in the Centurion who said to Him: “Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof,” with what pleasure and with what abundance of graces would He not come into our hearts! – On Considerations during Mass (E.). 

• WHEN you hear Mass, do you come in the same frame of mind as the Blessed Virgin at Calvary? Because it is the same God, and the same Sacrifice – Sermon on Good Friday. 

[Salvation]

[Salvation]

 

Marriage = One Man and One Woman

Til' Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for August 4, 2012:

Be careful how you express your most dearly held values to your children. Sometimes parents impose them rigidly and in an extreme way. Yes, share your faith, values, love of sports, music…but listen to what’s in their hearts too.

[annalex]

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 14
1.	AT that time Herod the Tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus.	In illo tempore audivit Herodes tetrarcha fama Jesu :	εν εκεινω τω καιρω ηκουσεν ηρωδης ο τετραρχης την ακοην ιησου
2.	And he said to his servants: This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works shew forth themselves in him.	et ait pueris suis : Hic est Joannes Baptista : ipse surrexit a mortuis, et ideo virtutes operantur in eo.	και ειπεν τοις παισιν αυτου ουτος εστιν ιωαννης ο βαπτιστης αυτος ηγερθη απο των νεκρων και δια τουτο αι δυναμεις ενεργουσιν εν αυτω
3.	For Herod had apprehended John and bound him, and put him into prison, because of Herodias, his brother's wife.	Herodes enim tenuit Joannem, et alligavit eum : et posuit in carcerem propter Herodiadem uxorem fratris sui.	ο γαρ ηρωδης κρατησας τον ιωαννην εδησεν αυτον και εθετο εν φυλακη δια ηρωδιαδα την γυναικα φιλιππου του αδελφου αυτου
4.	For John said to him: It is not lawful for thee to have her.	Dicebat enim illi Joannes : Non licet tibi habere eam.	ελεγεν γαρ αυτω ο ιωαννης ουκ εξεστιν σοι εχειν αυτην
5.	And having a mind to put him to death, he feared the people: because they esteemed him as a prophet.	Et volens illum occidere, timuit populum : quia sicut prophetam eum habebant.	και θελων αυτον αποκτειναι εφοβηθη τον οχλον οτι ως προφητην αυτον ειχον
6.	But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them: and pleased Herod.	Die autem natalis Herodis saltavit filia Herodiadis in medio, et placuit Herodi :	γενεσιων δε αγομενων του ηρωδου ωρχησατο η θυγατηρ της ηρωδιαδος εν τω μεσω και ηρεσεν τω ηρωδη
7.	Whereupon he promised with an oath, to give her whatsoever she would ask of him.	unde cum juramento pollicitus est ei dare quodcumque postulasset ab eo.	οθεν μεθ ορκου ωμολογησεν αυτη δουναι ο εαν αιτησηται
8.	But she being instructed before by her mother, said: Give me here in a dish the head of John the Baptist.	At illa præmonita a matre sua : Da mihi, inquit, hic in disco caput Joannis Baptistæ.	η δε προβιβασθεισα υπο της μητρος αυτης δος μοι φησιν ωδε επι πινακι την κεφαλην ιωαννου του βαπτιστου
9.	And the king was struck sad: yet because of his oath, and for them that sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given.	Et contristatus est rex : propter juramentum autem, et eos qui pariter recumbebant, jussit dari.	και ελυπηθη ο βασιλευς δια δε τους ορκους και τους συνανακειμενους εκελευσεν δοθηναι
10.	And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.	Misitque et decollavit Joannem in carcere.	και πεμψας απεκεφαλισεν τον ιωαννην εν τη φυλακη
11.	And his head was brought in a dish: and it was given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother.	Et allatum est caput ejus in disco, et datum est puellæ, et attulit matri suæ.	και ηνεχθη η κεφαλη αυτου επι πινακι και εδοθη τω κορασιω και ηνεγκεν τη μητρι αυτης
12.	And his disciples came and took the body, and buried it, and came and told Jesus.	Et accedentes discipuli ejus, tulerunt corpus ejus, et sepelierunt illud : et venientes nuntiaverunt Jesu.	και προσελθοντες οι μαθηται αυτου ηραν το σωμα και εθαψαν αυτο και ελθοντες απηγγειλαν τω ιησου

[annalex]

1. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of fame of Jesus.
2. And said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
3. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
4. For John said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her.
5. And when he would have put him to death, feared the multitude because they counted him a prophet.

GLOSS; The Evangelist had above shown the Pharisees speaking falsely against Christ's miracles, and just now His fellow-citizens wondering, yet despising Him; he now relates what opinion Herod had formed concerning Christ hearing of His miracles, and says, At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the fame of Jesus.

CHRYS; It is not without reason that the Evangelist here specifies the time, but you may understand the pride and carelessness of the tyrant inasmuch as he had not at the first made himself acquainted with the things concerning Christ, but now only after long time. Thus they, who in authority are fenced about with much pomp, learn these things slowly, because they do not much regard them.

AUG; Matthew says, at that time, not on that day, or, In that same hour; for Mark relates the same circumstances, but not in the same order. He places this after the mission of the disciples to preach, though not implying that it necessarily follows there; any more than Luke who follows the same order as Mark.

CHRYS; Observe how great a thing is virtue; Herod fears John even after he is dead and philosophizes concerning the resurrection; as it follows, And he said to his servants, This is John the Baptist he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works are wrought in him.

RABAN; From this place we may learn how great the jealousy of the Jews was; that John could have risen from the dead, Herod, an alien-born, here declares, without any witness that he had risen: coming Christ, whom the Prophets had foretold, the Jews referred to believe, that He had not risen, but had been carried away by stealth. This intimates that the Gentile heart more disposed to belief than that of the Jews.

JEROME; one of the Ecclesiastical interpreters asks what caused Herod to think that John was risen from the dead; as though we had to account for the errors of an alien, or as though the heresy of metempsychosis was at all supported by this place - a heresy which teaches that souls pass through various bodies after a long period of years - for the Lord was thirty years old when John was beheaded.

RABAN; All men have well thought concerning the power of the resurrection, that the saints shall have greater power after they have risen from the dead, than they had while they were yet weighed down with the infirmity of the flesh; therefore Herod says, Therefore mighty works are wrought in him.

AUG; Luke's words are, John have I beheaded who is he of whom I hear such things? As Luke has was represented Herod as in doubt, we must understand, rather that he was afterwards convinced of that which commonly said - or we must take what he here says to his servants as expressing a doubt - for the admit of either of these acceptation.

REMIG; Perhaps some one may ask how it can be here said, At that time Herod heard, seeing that we have long before read that Herod was dead, and that on that the Lord returned out of Egypt. This question is answered if we remember that there were two Herods. On the death of the first Herod, his son Archelaus succeeded him, and after ten years was sent into exile to Vienne in Gaul. Then Caesar Augustus gave command that the kingdom should be divided into tetrarchies, and gave three parts to the sons of Herod. This Herod then who beheaded John is the son of that greater Herod under whom the Lord was born; and this is confirmed by the Evangelist adding the tetrarch.

GLOSS; Having mentioned this supposition of John's resurrection, because he had never yet spoken of his death, he now returns, and narrates how it came to pass.

CHRYS; And this relation is not set before us as a principal matter, because the Evangelist's only object was to tell us concerning Christ, and nothing beyond, unless so far as it furthered this object. He says then, For Herod had seized John, and bound him.

AUG; Luke does not give this in the same order, but where he is speaking of the Lord's baptism, so that he took beforehand an event which happened long afterwards. For after that saying of John's concerning the Lord, that His fan is in His hand, he straightway adds this, which, as we may gather from John's Gospel, did not follow immediately. For he relates that after Jesus was baptized, He went into Galilee, and thence returned into Judaea, and baptized there near to the Jordan before John was cast into prison. But neither Matthew nor Mark have placed John's imprisonment in that order in which it appears from then own writings that it took place; for they also say that when John was delivered up, the Lord went into Galilee, and after many things there done, then by occasion of the fame of Christ reaching Herod they relate what took place in the imprisonment and beheading of John.

The cause for which he had been cast into prison he shows when he says, On account of Herodias his brother's wife. For John had, said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her.

JEROME; The old history tells us, that Philip the son of Herod the greater, the brother of this Herod, had taken to wife Herodias daughter of Aretas, king of the Arabs; and that the father-in-law, having afterwards cause of quarrel with his son-in-law, took away his daughter, and to grieve her he husband gave her in marriage to his enemy Herod. John the Baptist therefore, who came in the spirit and power Elias,, with the same authority that he had exerted over Ahab and Jezebel, rebuked Herod and Herodias, because that they had entered into unlawful wedlock; it being unlawful while the own brother yet lives to take his wife. He preferred to endanger himself with the King, than to be forgetful of the commandments of God in commending himself to him.

CHRYS; Yet he speaks not to the woman but to the husband, as he was the chief person.

GLOSS; And perhaps he observed the Jewish Law, according to which John forbade him this adultery. And desiring to kill him, he feared the people.

JEROME; He feared a disturbance among the people for John's sake, for he knew that multitudes had been baptized by him in Jordan; but he was overcome by love of his wife, which had already made him neglect the commands of God.

GLOSS; The fear of God amends us, the fear of man torments us, but alters not our will; it rather renders us more impatient to sin as it has held us back for a time from our indulgence.

6. But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
9. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meal, he commanded it to be given her.
10. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
12. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

GLOSS; The Evangelist having related John's imprisonment. Proceeds to his putting to death, saying, But on Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst.

JEROME; We find no others keeping their birthday besides Herod and Pharaoh, that they who were alike in their wickedness might be alike in their festivities.

REMIG; It should be known that it is customary not for rich only but for poor mothers also, to educate their daughters so chastely, that they are scarce so much as seen by strangers. But this unchaste woman had so brought up her daughter after the same manner, that she had taught her not chastity but dancing. Nor is Herod to be less blamed who forgot that his was a royal palace, but this woman made it a theater; And it pleased Herod, so that he swore with an oath that he would give her whatsoever she should ask of him.

JEROME; I do not excuse Herod that he committed this murder against his will by reason of his oath, for perhaps he took the oath for the very purpose of bringing about the murder. But if he says that he did it for his oath's sake, had she asked the death of her mother, or her father, would he have granted it or not? What then he would have refused in his own person, he ought to have rejected in that of the Prophet Isidore; In evil promises then break faith. That promise is impious which must be kept by crime; that oath is not to be observed by which we have unwittingly pledged ourselves to evil. It follows, And she being before instructed of her mother said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

JEROME; For Herodias, fearing that Herod might some time recover his senses, and be reconciled to his brother, and dissolve their unlawful union by a divorce, instructs her daughter to ask at once at the banquet the head of John, a reward of blood worthy of the deed of the dancing.

CHRYS; Here is a twofold accusation against the damsel, that she danced, and that she chose to ask an execution as her reward. Observe how Herod is at once cruel and yielding; he obliges himself by an oath, and leaves her free to choose her request. Yet when he knew what evil was resulting from her request, he was grieved, And the king was sorry, for virtue gains praise and admiration even among the bad.

JEROME; Otherwise; It is the manner of Scripture to speak of events as they were commonly viewed at the time by all. So Joseph is called by Mary herself the father of Jesus; so here Herod is said to be sorry, because the guests believed that be was so. This dissembler of his own inclinations, this contriver of a murder displayed sorrow in his face, when he had joy in his mind. For his oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meal, he commanded it to be given. He excuses his crime by his oath, that his wickedness might be done under a presence of piety. That he adds, and them that sat at meal with him, he would have them all sharers in his crime, that a bloody dish might be brought in a luxurious feast.

CHRYS; If he was afraid to have so many witnesses of his perjury, how much more ought he to have feared so many witnesses of a murder?

REMIG; Here is a less sin done for the sake of another greater; he would not extinguish his lustful desires, and therefore he betakes him to luxurious living; he would not put any restraint on his luxury, and thus he passes to the guilt of murder; for, He sent and beheaded John in prison, and his head was brought in a charger.

JEROME; We read in Roman history, Hieron that Flaminius, a Roman general, sitting at supper with his mistress, on her saying that she had never seen a man beheaded, gave permission that a man under sentence for a capital crime should be brought in and beheaded during the entertainment. For this he was expelled the senate by the censors, because he had mingled feasting with blood, and had employed death, though of a criminal, for the amusement of another, causing murder and enjoyment to be joined together. How much more wicked Herod, and Herodias, and the damsel who danced; she asked as her bloody reward the head of a Prophet, that she might have in her power the tongue that reproved the unlawful nuptials.

GREG; But not without most deep wonder do I consider, that he who in his mother's womb was filled with the spirit of prophecy, than whom there arose not a greater among them that are born of w omen, is cast into prison by wicked men, and is beheaded because of the dancing of a girl, and that a man of such severe life dies for the sport of shameful men. Are we to think that there was any thing in his life which this so shameful death should wipe away? God thus oppresses His people in the least things, because He sees how He may reward them in the highest things. And hence may be gathered what they will suffer whom He casts away, if He thus tortures those He loves.

ID; And John is not sought out to suffer concerning the confession of Christ, but for the truth of righteousness. But because Christ is truth, he goes to death for Christ in going for truth. It follows, And his disciples came, and took up his body, and buried it.

JEROME; By which we may understand both the disciples of John himself, and of the Savior.

RABAN; Josephus relates, that John was sent bound to the castle of Mecheron, and there beheaded; but ecclesiastical history relates that he was buried in Sebastia, a town of Palestine, which was formerly called Samaria.

CHRYS; Observe how John's disciples are henceforth more attached to Jesus; they it is who told Him what was done concerning John; And they came and told Jesus. For leaving all they take refuge with Him, and so by degrees after their calamity, and the answer given by Christ, they are set right.

HILARY; Mystically, John represents the Law; for the Law preached Christ, and John came of the Law, preaching Christ out of the Law. Herod is the Prince of the people and the Prince of the people bears the name and the cause of the whole body put under him. John then warned Herod that he should not take to him his brother's wife. For there are and there were two people, of the circumcision, and of the Gentiles; and these are brethren, children of the same parent of the human race, but the Law warned Israel that he should not take to him the works of the Gentiles and unbelief which was united to them as by the bond of conjugal love. On the birthday, that is amidst the enjoyments of the things of the body, the daughter of Herodias danced; for pleasure, as it were springing from unbelief, was carried in its alluring course throughout the whole of Israel, and the nation bound itself thereto as by an oath, for sin and worldly pleasures the Israelites sold the gifts of eternal life.

She (Pleasure), at the suggestion of her mother Unbelief, begged that there should be given her the head of John, that is, the glory of the Law; but the people knowing the good that was in the Law, yielded these terms to pleasure, not without sorrow for its own danger, conscious that it ought not to have given up so great glory of its teachers. But forced by its sins, as by the force of an oath, as well as overcome by the fear, and corrupted by the example of the neighboring princes, it sorrowfully yields to the blandishments of pleasure. So among the other gratifications of a debauched people the head of John is brought in a dish, that is by the loss of the Law, the pleasures of the body, and worldly luxury is increased. It is carried by the damsel to her mother; thus depraved Israel offered up the glory of the Law to pleasure and unbelief. The times of the Law being expired, and buried with John, his disciples declare what is done to the Lord, coming, that is, to the Gospels from the Law.

RABAN; Otherwise; Even at this day we see that in the head of the Prophet John the Jews have lost Christ, who is the head of the Prophets.

JEROME; And the Prophet has lost among them both tongue and voice.

REMIG; Otherwise; The beheading of John marks the increase of that fame which Christ has among the people, as the exaltation of the Lord upon the cross marks the progress of the faith; whence John had said, He must increase, but I must decrease.

Catena Aurea Matthew 14

[annalex]

The beheading of St. John the Forerunner

[annalex]

A student of medieval art will know that so-called “abolition of time” is a common method of depicting dynamic events. Here, St. John the Baptist is shown at the moment of execution, and his head is shown another time, on the platter.

It is also common to show him in his intact body, and holding the platter with his own head.

[Salvation]

Vultus Christi

Your Advocate, Your Comforter, Your Refuge

By

Father Mark

 on August 4, 2012 8:38 PM |

In a letter dated 28 February 1882, written from Dundrum, to a friend about to be ordained in Rome, the young Father Joe Marmion (Blessed Columba Marmion) speaks of his own loneliness as a newly ordained priest, and of the temptation to look for compensation, diversion, and gratification in society. "The life of a priest," he writes, "is very much more lonely than we anticipate. I have often been for days without opening my lips to a mortal. This may seem very strange, but it is true, and if we can't find our pleasure before Gesù sacramentato, we will, inevitably, go for consolation into society, and then. . . ." Father Marmion left his sentence unfinished. It is significant to me that he saw intimacy with Gesu sacramentato -- Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament -- as indispensable to the happiness of the priest.

You and so many of your brother priests
do not know Me as I would have you know Me.
Many of you are strangers to My Heart.
Come close to Me.
Remain in My presence.
Seek My Eucharistic Face.
Learn of My love for you and you will begin to trust in it.
I am not harsh.
I am not a taskmaster.
I am your Divine Friend.
I am your Advocate, your Comforter, your Refuge in every trial.
Those who persevere in seeking My Eucharistic Face
will begin to read there all the secrets of My Heart,
that is, the unsearchable depths of My love for souls
and, in the first place, for My priests.

This is the root of the evil that eats away at the priesthood from within:
a lack of experiential knowledge of My friendship and love.
My priests are not mere functionaries;
they are My chosen ones,
the friends whom I chose for myself
to live in such communion of mind and heart with Me
that they prolong My presence in the world.
Each priest is called to love My Church
with all the tender passion of a bridegroom,
but to do this, he must spend time in My presence.
He must experience Me personally as the Bridegroom of his soul.

I want you to call priests to the experience of My friendship. Show them how to remain before My Eucharistic Face by giving them an example of adoration and reparation. Draw near to My open Side in the Sacrament of My Love for them and in their place, and they will begin to follow you there. Reach out to My priests, not so much by speaking to them, but rather by reaching out to Me for their sake.

I tell you again: I want you to be My priest-adorer,
the priest-adorer of My Eucharistic Face
and of My Heart hidden in the Sacrament of My Love.
My Heart is wounded even in My glory.
It is My wounded Heart that you find
when you approach Me in the Most Holy Eucharist.
And from My wounded Heart
there flows a ceaseless torrent of merciful love
to purify souls, to strengthen, heal, sanctify, and glorify them.
The mystery of My Sacred Heart hidden in the Sacrament of My Love
is still so little known.
I want all My priests to know
that in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar
there beats for them a living Heart,
a Heart all aflame with the most tender love.

There is no need for My priests to go through life
isolated, lonely, and friendless.
I want to be the Faithful Companion of their days and of their nights.
I want to be their solace and their rest.
I want to be their Friend, ever ready to listen to them,
to welcome them, to heal them, and renew their hope.
Oh, if only they would seek Me out
in those tabernacles where I wait for them,
in those tabernacles where no one joins Me
in My ceaseless prayer to the Father.

Never miss an opportunity to greet Me,
to adore Me, to remain with Me, even if only for a moment,
in the Sacrament of My Love.
In eternity you will see
the inestimable value of every moment
spent in My Eucharistic presence.

From In Sinu Iesu, The Journal of a Priest

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

Heeding or Silencing the Conscience

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, priest

Matthew 14: 1-12

Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I believe you are looking for me. You stand ready to come to me in this moment of prayer. You want to help me see your love and where I can grow to be more like you. Thank you for your patience and goodness with me. I want to give myself totally to you.

Petition: Lord, help me to hear your voice more clearly today.

1. A Disturbing Voice: John the Baptist had been sent to prepare the way for Christ. He was a witness to the holiness of God. He tried to awaken the sense of sin and the need for repentance. He spoke clearly and was afraid of no one. Sometimes the voice of God in my conscience can be bothersome, like John’s voice was to Herod. Yet a clear reminder of what is right and wrong is an act of mercy from God. He is giving us a chance to awaken from our lethargy and realize that our immortal souls are at stake. I should thank God when my conscience reminds me of things I need to change in my life.

2. What’s Wrong With a Little Entertainment? There is nothing wrong with having celebrations in our life and moments of joy and relaxation. A Christian’s life is rich in moments of happiness. But, as was the case in Herod’s birthday party, there exists the danger of looking for entertainment and relaxation in activities or pastimes which can simply manipulate our passions, weaken our morals, and deeply offend God. If we are unable to choose our entertainment wisely we can end up throwing away the richness of our spiritual inheritance for cheap thrills. Herod ends up as a murderer rather than a good king. His unchecked passions of sensuality and human respect make him use his power to destroy rather than protect. I must remember that even in the moments of relaxation I have the responsibility to protect and foster my Christian identity. I should look for healthy pastimes where I can share the joy of Christian living with my friends and family.

3. The Proverbial Second Chance: When Herod hears of Jesus, his conscience pricks him. He knew he had killed a man of God. Somewhere in his heart he knew that God would have the last word. The presence of Christ is an additional grace that the Father offers Herod so that he may be converted. Unfortunately it is a grace that Herod will not take advantage of, just as he did not take advantage of the presence of John the Baptist. In my own life, how many times does the Father have to remind me of my call to holiness? Do I realize how much mercy the Lord has already shown me? What is it that I am still withholding from him? Today I will seek a deep conversion of heart in that area where I know I have still been withholding myself from God.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for enlightening my conscience with your Gospel. Help me to see where I have become deaf or insensitive to the call of your teachings. I want your grace to triumph in my life. Help me to be brave to change what offends you and to live a life of Christian authenticity.

Resolution: I will receive the sacrament of reconciliation today and also invite someone else to receive it.

[Salvation]

The Meaning of Total Self Abandonment

• Homily of the Day
• August 4th, 2012
• Food For Thought

FirstReading: Jer. 26:11-16, 24

Psalm: Ps. 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

Gospel: Mt. 14:1-12

Jeremiah and John the Baptist both proclaimed what they believed was true no matter the risk to their lives. One was spared, the other beheaded, both in the course of doing God’s work.

Why does our Lord allow this to happen? Why does one live and the other die? Is it because in His omnipotence, God grants the greatest respect to man’s worth by giving “free will” the widest room to operate despite the consequences?

The officials, people, and yes, Herod, all were free to choose life or death for the prophets.

In our worship life, how many times and to what degree were we challenged to stand by our God? How did we do?

In this complicated world, we are frequently confronted with difficult choices that bring us closer to or farther away from God. Let us pray fervently for the gifts of wisdom and fortitude so that we can make and execute the right choices.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Saturday, August 4, 2012 >>

St. John Mary Vianney Saint of the Day

Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
View Readings

Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34

Matthew 14:1-12

TRUE CONFESSIONS

"This man deserves death; he has prophesied against this city." —Jeremiah 26:11

 

Jeremiah prophesied the truth against Jerusalem, although he risked his life in doing so. John the Baptizer told Herod and Herodias the truth about their adultery. For this, John was beheaded (Mt 14:4ff). Jesus, Who is the Truth (Jn 14:6), came into the world "to testify to the truth" (Jn 18:37). He spoke the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and was executed by crucifixion.

Are you walking in the truth? (see 1 Jn 1:6) Are you fighting for the truth even to death? (Sir 4:28; Jude 3) Do you say with St. Paul: "We cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth" (2 Cor 13:8)?

To be men and women of truth, we must be committed totally to the Truth, Jesus Himself (see Jn 18:37). We must "share in His sufferings by being formed into the pattern of His death" (Phil 3:10). We must be consecrated in the truth as Jesus was on Calvary (Jn 17:19).

Are you in the Truth? Only then will you be free (Jn 8:32).

 

Prayer: Father, by obedience to the truth may I be purified for a genuine love of my brothers and sisters (1 Pt 1:22).

Promise: "Mark well: if you put me to death, it is innocent blood you bring on yourselves, on this city and its citizens." —Jer 26:15

Praise: St. John exemplified "imperturbable patience" and so drew countless sinners back to God. He is said to have often heard Confessions from sunup to sundown.