MEMORIAL OF ST. JOHN VIANNEY: HOLINESS BEGINS IN THE HEART.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said,
"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat."
Then Jesus called the crowd to Him and said to them,
"Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles."
Then the disciples approached and said to Him,
"Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?"
He answered,
"Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.
"Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit."
(Matthew 15: 1 - 2, 10 - 14).
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026. Memorial of St. John Vianney, Priest.
The Pharisees judged holiness by external observances. Jesus directs our attention to something much deeper—the human heart.
"It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth that defiles."
Our words reveal the condition of our hearts. Words of kindness, mercy and truth come from a heart transformed by God's grace.
Harsh words, gossip, resentment and pride reveal areas of the heart still in need of conversion.
The Prophet Samuel taught the same truth:
"Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart." (1 Samuel 16: 7).
Today's saint, St. John Vianney, understood this Gospel better than almost anyone. He spent countless hours in the confessional because he knew that Christ came not merely to correct outward behavior but to heal the human heart.
Thousands travelled to Ars seeking God's mercy through his priestly ministry.
The Curé of Ars reminds us that holiness is not about brilliance but about fidelity. Though he struggled academically and was considered an unlikely candidate for the priesthood, his deep love for Christ transformed an entire village.
Spending long hours in the confessional, he became a living sign of God's mercy, drawing thousands to conversion.
His life proclaims a timeless truth: one holy priest—or one holy Christian—can change countless lives through prayer, sacrifice and unwavering love for God.
August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Mary's heart was completely open to God's grace. She teaches us that true purity begins within and is expressed in humble obedience to God's will.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
TAKE COURAGE. IT IS I.
THE GOODNEWS:
"Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds.
After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
"When it was evening he was there alone.
"Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea.
"When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
“It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear.
At once Jesus spoke to them,
“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
"Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
"He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
"Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him,
“O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
"After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret.
When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country.
"People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed." (Matthew 14: 22 - 36).
Monday August 3rd 2026 in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time.
Have you ever faced a deep paralyzing fear in your life?
For example: Being fired from a job, facing an ugly divorce, or doctor's life and death verdict?
Have you ever lost a child for a couple of days as the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced?
Or facing imminent death in a deadly weather disaster?
All these are occasions for crippling fear.
In our key Scripture, we find the Apostles facing such a moment. Peter becomes the type for all of us in this drama.
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.
So far so good. But things changed quickly.
"But when he [Peter] saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out,
“Lord, save me!”
Why did Peter panic?
He took his eyes off Jesus. You too will panic in any crisis if you take your eyes off Jesus.
Fear entered Peter's mind through his eyes.
Fear, worry and doubt enter into us often through our physical senses.
The first order of business in combating fear, worry and doubt is to control our senses.
The best defense in this case is offense. Make a habit of feeding your mind with God's word.
Learn to pray constantly.
You can close your eyes and block your ears.
Prepare for any emergency in your morning prayer.
As Christians, we are urged to be prepared always.
The enemy of mankind who is also the Merchant of Fear and Death does not sleep.
He prowls everywhere seeking for the careless sheep to devour. Deny him every opportunity.
Fear is useless; what is needed is trust in Jesus our Good Shepherd. (Cf Luke 8:50).
August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The Sanctuary of Purity and Reparation.
"Look, my daughter, at My Heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce It at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console Me."
— The Blessed Virgin Mary to Sr. Lucia of Fatima (1925).
Just as the Sacred Heart of Jesus presents Itself wrapped in thorns, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is revealed enveloped in a crown of thorns—representing the sharp, deliberate blasphemies and indifference of the modern world.
Devotion to her Heart is inherently bound to the grave obligation of reparation.
Consider the profound sorrow of the Mother of God as she beholds human apathy toward her Son’s redemptive sacrifice.
The purpose of this day’s reflection is to move your soul from passive spectator to active comforter of her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart.
Divine Providence has kept you alive in this precise moment in history to stand as a faithful guard of love. Your hidden patient endurance, your quiet rejection of sinful compromises, and your deliberate acts of thanksgiving take on an immense supernatural efficacy.
Offer your work, your quiet moments of fatigue, and your daily fidelity as a sweet balm of reparation to soothe the wounds inflicted upon her maternal Heart by an ungrateful world.
Prayer:
Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, accept my daily actions as an act of loving reparation.
Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
