Gospel Reading for August 04, 2025 – Matthew 14: 13-21
CHRIST PRESENT and VISIBLE
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages
and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him,”Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.
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Why did Jesus withdraw to a deserted place by himself when he heard about the death of John the Baptist? What would he have felt? Did he foresee what would happen to him in the future? Did he experience grief over losing a cousin and his precursor? He badly needed to be alone by himself; to have a special time to be alone with the Father. But, this probably was short-lived because he had to attend to the crowds that had so much need of him. Perhaps the death of John was devastating for his followers but they would not let go of their faith. There was with them a person much greater than John who cured their sick and even fed them when they had nothing to eat – a foretaste of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint John Marie Vianney, patron of priests. St. John Marie Vianney who was ordained a priest in 1815 and became a parish priest in 1818 in a remote French community of Ars, was known have worked hard for the conversion of his parishioners through prayers and living a life of devotion to God with dedication to the Blessed Sacrament. He lived on little food and sleep and worked without rest in unfailing humility, gentleness, patience and cheerfulness. He gave powerful homilies on the mercy and love of God that even staunch sinners were converted upon hearing him. Pilgrims travelled from all over France to come to him to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation, such that he would spend 16 hours a day in the confessional. (Credits to CNA)
St. John Marie Vianney truly fulfilled his calling to make CHRIST PRESENT and VISIBLE to the community.
Lord Jesus, we pray for priests all over the world, that through the power of your Holy Spirit they may have enough strength, courage and inspiration to fulfill the calling they received at their ordination. We pray too for all the baptized, to fulfill their mission of participating in Christ’s priestly mission of a life of sacrifice, prayer, and worship.
