Saint John Vianney: Growth in Holiness

Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM

Growth in Holiness

S aint John Vianney

Saint John is the patron saint of parish priests. This is the day we honor not only Saint John, but parish pastors. St. John is the model to what a good parish pastor is in our communities. It is a day we pray to Saint John, for his intercession. Intercession for our parish priests.

Growth in holiness is difficult. In the readings about the Israelites, at the doorstep of the promise land, some make up excuses as to why they can not enter. In today’s Gospel we hear of a woman coming to the savior, and she will not take no for an answer to her prayer. Two extremes.

How often do we experience what the Israelites experience? We desire something. As we are close … we make up excuses as to why we do not move forward. This happens in the Spiritual Life also. We desire to be more prayerful. As we do so and the demands of life come upon us, suddenly we are so tired, we no longer can pray as we desire.

Faith is not believing in things Jesus. Faith is believing in Jesus.

This meditation piece points out what the Israelites failure were in their Spiritual Life. Listen to the lesson and incorporate it into your own Spiritual Life.

Hear more in this Meditation piece.