18th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B) / ST. JOHN VIANNEY SUNDAY

18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) / St. John Vianney Sunday

Date: August 5, 2012

First Reading: Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15

Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24

Gospel: John 6: 24-35

When I initiated writing the history of the Catholic Church in my mission area, I found out that the first missionaries gave lands, carabaos, money and houses. This is what we called the dole-out system. One of my parishioners vividly described it: “On a Sunday, one can expect a throng of mass-goers. The Church is filled with people! And even before the Mass ends, you can already see the long line of people going to the parish convent to receive canned goods and imported food products.

The scenario was short-lived. When the time came that the priest had no more to give, the number of mass-goers also declined “because they have nothing to get from the Church anymore,” my parishioner sadly remarked.

Friends, our gospel for today speaks of the people who ran after Christ. They were among those  five thousand last Sunday who ate of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. However, they followed Christ not because of the miracles he performed but because they were filled. Perhaps they said to one another:  “Let us follow Christ, and our stomach shall always be filled. For sure, we will never be hungry.” This is very much in contrast with what God said in our first reading: “You shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God.” (Exodus 16: 12)

We have different reasons why we go to the Church. Some ask for good health while others ask that their children pass the board exams. Still others pray for their partners in life.  There are also those who simply thank God for the many blessings they receive every day. Variety of reasons! It amazes me while watching you all from the sanctuary: different faces, different cultures, and yet one in faith.

This is only a testament that we do not live by bread alone. It is true that we need to eat every day, but equally important is the need to also nourish our soul. Listening to the Word of God and receiving Christ in the holy sacrifice of the Mass are very important aspects of our Christian life.

Many people became nominal Christians after the dole-out system. Why? Because their only motive is to receive goodies. When they have no more canned goods and imported products to receive, they also stop going to the Church. This is what Jesus said in the gospel today: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” (John 6:26)

But despite those who became cold, there are those who remain faithful. They serve and support the activities of the Church. They have truly internalized the importance of partaking of the bread that gives eternal life. St. John Vianney beautifully said it:

“All the good works in the world are not equal to the sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing  in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass  is the sacrifice of God for man.”

Wow! If we only see the Holy Mass from this perspective, surely no one will be sleepy, for before us in the Holy Eucharist is the unfolding of Lord’s ultimate sacrifice. Jesus admonishes us: “Labor not for the food that perishes, but for the food that gives eternal life.” (John 6:27)

On example we could reflect on is St. John Baptist Marie Vianney.

Who is St. John Vianney?

St. John Vianney (May 8, 1786 – August 4, 1859) was a parish priest in one of the parishes in France who became very popular internationally for the spiritual reforms among his parishioners and even nearby parishes. He was known for staying very long in the confessional.

In 1790, at the height of the French Revolution, many priests became underground in order to celebrate the sacraments. St. John Vianney grew up walking miles and trekking mountains just to hear the Holy Mass because it was illegal or not permitted by the government during that time. In fact, when he had his First Communion at 13, they had to close all the windows of the house so that the lights of the candles will not be seen from the outside. Since childhood, he looked upon priests with so much admiration and thought of them as heroes.

When he went to the seminary, St. John Vianney was very poor in Latin that his formators thought he had no vocation. The priests wanted to kick him out. Through the intervention of one priest who believed in him, he was ordained on August 12, 1815. He became a parish priest in the town of Ars. There he was surprised because his parishioners go to their farms on Sundays and spend the whole day dancing and drinking in taverns instead of going to the Church. Through his sermons that highlight the importance of the Holy Eucharist, he became instrumental for the many conversion of hearts. He spent in the confessional 12 hours a day during winter and up to 16 hours a day during summer. His fame spread far and wide.

When he died on August 4, 1859, there were 300 priests and 6 thousand visitors who attended his funeral.   He was canonized by Pope Pius XI on 1925 and declared patron of parish priests on 1929.

This Sunday is also called St. John Marie Vianney Sunday. The special collection will be intended for the on-going formation of the clergy.  The collection will be given to the Bishop, who in turn will hand over to the Commission on Clergy of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines. However, more than the financial help, let us also pray for our dear priests, specially the parish priests, that they may become models of Christian piety and goodness. May the Heart of Jesus live in the heart of our priests, and in the hearts of all.