Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest
St. John Vianney, a nineteenth century priest of extraordinary character, served such a small, seemingly unknown town of Ars, France, with a mere 230 residents. One could think that the young Fr. Vianney would have balked at this assignment when he was sent there. "I wish that I could be sent to a big town! I wish that I could have a vibrant parish with many famous people! I wish that my ministry and preaching could be more well known!" Instead, Fr. Vianney embraced his mission especially in the sanctity of the confessional, even for hours a day. He became known as the "Curé d'Ars". Ars became a hospital for souls as people flocked to receive the healing of Jesus Christ which Fr. Vianney's care and compassion made manifest. As Jesus's heart in the Gospel today, "was moved with pity for (the crowd) because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd," so Fr. Vianney loved the people he was sent to pastor without judgement or selfish pride.
May we too not overlook the ways that our gifts, talents, presence, resources, and love can serve the people right around us. Let us all strive to make our homes, workplaces, communities, and even countries into "hospitals of souls" where all feel welcome and all can encounter the healing and transformative love of Jesus Christ. St. John Vianney, pray for us.