St John Maria Vianney is the patron saint of priests.
As a model priest, he made it a point to help all the needy in his parish or in the region around him. 

Once, word was sent to him that a very sick man of his parish was seeking to make confession.

>> However, this man was pretty far off from the place where the church was. 
It was a time when vehicles were too sparse.

>> The climate was bitter cold and the rain storm was blowing in. 
But the zeal in the heart of the saintly priest was still greater. 

So, he picked up his cloak and started his walk to the sick man’s house.

>> The freezing cold pierced through his frail bones

>> The lashing winds wrenched his body in frosty pain
Yet, St John Vianney trekked on!

Finally he reached the house of the sick man. 
By the time he arrived, St Vianney himself was shivering and wobbly with high fever. 

>> He fell so ill, that he had to hear the confession, lying down, beside the sick man’s bed. 
Many in fact, even thought, that the priest was more sick than the penitent ill-man!

The determination and the willingness of the Saintly Priest made sure that the sick man would experience God’s immense mercy and forgiving love.
Rejection and dejection, are sure companions in the life of a Christian, who is uncompromising and unwavering in one’s faith.

>> Despite these aspects, are we ready to hold on to Doing the Will of God, and be His Faithful Followers?

Our Blessed Lord Himself underwent rejection and dejection in life.

>> Yet He would cling on to Doing the Will of God!
The Gospel of the Day narrates this painful incident of “rejection and dejection” that our Blessed Lord encountered in His life, at the hands of His own country people (Mt 13: 54-58)

It is interesting to note, how the people of the hometown seek to justify their rejection of Jesus, by rationalizing their attitude…

>> Using 6 questions ( 6= A Biblical symbolic number which often stands for imperfection!)…

… the people of the hometown, reveal their blocked minds and closed hearts.

When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…

… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!
And so the Lord would declare: “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country or his own house!” (Mt 13: 57)

Thus, Jesus becomes the “Sign of Contradiction!”

… the Prince of Peace, begins to be seen as a cause of division and despise

… the Healer of Souls, begins to be seen as a cause of disagreement and discord!

… the Comforter of Hearts, begins to be seen as a cause of disturbance and distress

Anyone who seeks to follow Jesus – the “Sign of Contradiction” – the Epitome of Truth and Honesty…

… is sure to face the same experience!

Every true Christian, because of one’s convictions in the Eternal Values of Uncompromising Truth and Desire to do the Will of God, is sure to face…

… rejection from the people, because one’s ways challenge the lethargic lifestyle of others!

… dejection from the society, because one’s way of living poses a threat the corruption around!
But despite this “rejection and dejection”, can we still continue to hold on the Lord, the “Sign of Contradiction!” ?

Today we celebrate the Feast of St John Maria Vianney, the patron saint of all the priests!

>> As a young son, he had to face “rejection and dejection” from his father, who was opposed to his being a priest, due to financial difficulties as well as the strained political climate of his time

>> As a young seminarian, he had to face “rejection and dejection” from the seminary, due to his difficulties in struggle

>> As a young priest, he e had to face “rejection and dejection” from the parish at Ars, where he was first appointed, due to the indifference and the secular lifestyle of the people in the village.

He experienced the great reality: “When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…

… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!”
But despite this harsh experience of “rejection and dejection”…

… he held on to “Doing the Will of God, and be His Faithful Follower!”

St John Maria Vianney placed His entire trust in the Power of God

>> This would turn his “rejection and dejection” into a “celebration and jubilation!”

Today let us seek the Intercession of St John Maria Vianney…

… to remain “faithful and firm”, in moments of “dejection and rejection”

>> And thus, seek to imitate our Blessed Lord.

May his words inspire us: 

>> “You cannot please both God and the world at the same time, They are utterly opposed to each other in their thoughts, their desires, and their actions.”

>> “I tell you that you have less to suffer in following the cross than in serving the world and its pleasures.”

Let us also pray specially for Priests all over the world, that their Patron Saint – St John Maria Vianney – may intercede, to help all priests…

… to be more holy and faithful to their Noble Vocation

… to be more zealous in administering the Sacraments and giving His Word

… to be more passionate in Loving the Lord and bringing many more to His Love

Happy Feast to all the Priests!
God Bless! Live Jesus!