audacity of God

Jeremiah 31:1-7; Psalm The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock; Matthew 15:21-28

today in the Church we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney, patron of all diocesean priest.

Below are a few words from Pope Benedict in conclusion of the Year for the Priest dedicated to st. John Vianney

"The priest is not a mere office-holder, like those which every society needs in order to carry out certain functions. Instead, he does something which no human being can do of his own power: In Christ's name he speaks the words which absolve us from our sins and in this way he changes, starting with GOd, our entire life.

Over the offering of bread and wine he speaks Christ's words of thanksgiving...words that make Christ himself present, the Risen one, his body and blood...words that transform the elements of the world, openning the world to God and unite it to Him.

The priesthood is not simply "office" but sacrament. God makes use of us poormen in order to be, through us, present to all men and women, and act on their behalf. This audacity of God, who entrusts himself to human beings-who conscious of our weakness, nonetheless considers men capable of acting and being present in his stead.

This audacity of God is the true grandeur concealed in the word 'priesthood.'"

Words from Second Vatican Council: ministry and life of priests

"The holiness of priests is itself an important contribution to the fruitfulness of their ministry. It is true that God's grace can effect the work of salvation even through unworthy ministers, but God ordinarily prefers to show his wonders by means of those who are more submissive to the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and who through close union with Christ and holiness of life, are able to say with St. Paul: 'I live, but no longer is it I who live, it is Christ who lives within me.'"

Words from st. John Vianney

"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...we had become unworthy to pray, but God in his goodness allowed us to speak with him. Our prayer is incense that gives him the greatest pleasure. Our hearts are small but prayer stretches them and makes them capable of loving God. Through prayer we recieve a foretaste of heaven and something of paradise comes down upon us..."


Today fall on your knees in prayer and open your heart to paradise.
Pray that we priest may be more and more courageously submissive to the Spirit of God and show forth his holiness to the world, that we may all be more and more courageously submissive and show forth that holiness that is demanded of God for us, "be holy, as I am holy (leviticus)."

St. John vianney pray for us.