DAILY- HOMILY

August 4, 2017 – FRIDAY, 17th Week in Ordinary Time

St. John Marie Vianney, Priest

Memorial, White

Lv 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b- 37 / Mt 13:54- 58

     St. John Baptiste Marie Vianney (1786 - 1859), born in Lyons, France, spent almost his entire priestly life as the Parish Priest of Ars. Pope Pius XI proclaimed him Patron of Parish Priests.

FROM THE FIRST READING:          Lv 23: 1 - 2

     Yahweh said to Moses, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them: You proclaim holy assemblies on the appointed feasts of Yahweh, which are these."

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 13: 54- 58

     Jesus went to his hometown and taught the people in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, "Where did he get this wisdom, and these special powers? Isn't he the carpenter's son" Isn't Mary his mother and aren't James, Joseph, Simon and Judas his brothers? Aren't all his sisters living there? How did he get all this?" And so they took offense at him'

     Jesus said to them, "The only place where prophets are not welcome is their own hometown and in their family." And he did not perfom many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

REFLECTION

     When Jesus returned to his hometown Nazareth and spoke at the synagogue, the people would not listen to him. "They took offense at him." "Where did he get this wisdom, and these special powers? Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't Mary his mother?"

     The people of his hometown, neighbors and even relatives, were unwilling to listen to him because they felt he did not have any proper credentials to speak to them. They were not willing to evaluate the wisdom of his message; they were not willing to appreciate and wonder at his cures and powerful works.

     Disappointed, Jesus "did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith."

     We probably have seen similar prejudice and pre-judgments. How can one so young and inexperienced have such wonderful ideas? How can this government official advocate these changes? We have always done these things in these ways! We can at times have our minds so closed and unwilling to listen to new things.

     "Lord, teach us to have open minds and hearts. Teach us to patiently listen and fairly process what we hear. Guide our minds on the path of truth. Help us to hear your message through others. And let us be bearers of your Good News to the world, doing so with love and patience."

OTHER INTENTIONS:

For the healing of Moje Ramos-Aquino.

FINALLY, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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