August 4, St. John Mary Vianney

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. — Psalm 95:8

Mass Readings: Numbers 20:1-13 / Matthew 16:13-23

A Faithful Priest

God can do a lot with a simple heart. John Vianney (1786-1859) struggled with Latin and nearly flunked out of the seminary. But as a priest in Ars, France, what he lacked in learning he more than made up for in simplicity of faith. Soon the lines at his confessional were hours long, as people came from across Europe to receive his counsel and draw from his holiness.

Father Vianney may not have been expert in Latin, but he knew who he was and that God had called him. He wasn’t discouraged by failure, or what others said about him. He kept at his vocation and God confirmed his persistent faith. Today, it’s our duty to pray for our priests, pray for more vocations, and pray that more of us may have the simple heart of St. John Vianney.

Prayer: Jesus, grant us more holy priests in the image of the Good Shepherd.