August 04, 2020
Scripture
St. John Vianney
Mt 14: 22-36
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them.
And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Humble Eyes on Jesus
Today is the Memorial of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests. Born in France in 1786, Vianney was known as a simple and humble priest, if not much of a scholar.
There’s a story that the priests of John Vianney’s deanery sent around a petition asking the bishop to remove Vianney because he was such a “simpleton.” Apparently, someone forgot to take Vianney off the mailing list. When he received the petition, he added his own name! His humility won over other priests. And the truth is, as long as we are humble enough to laugh at ourselves we leave a space for God to enter our lives, with graces.
How does Peter miraculously defy the laws of physics? By keeping his eyes on Jesus. When he looks away into the storm, his fears rise and he starts to sink. But a humble heart reminds us what we do when our faith collapses. Like Peter, we cry out, “Lord, save us!” Jesus is quick to the rescue. We will never be overwhelmed with humble eyes set on him.
—Joe Kraemer, SJ, is a scholastic of the Jesuits West Province who begins his second year of Theology at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA this fall.
Prayer
I love You, O my God,
and my only desire is to love You
until the last breath of my life.
I love You,
O my infinitely lovable God,
and I would rather die loving You,
than live without loving You.
—From St. John Vianney’s Prayer to Jesus
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