Thursday, June 25 : Saint John-Mary Vianney

Worldly people, in order to exempt themselves from working to acquire holiness, which, without doubt, would hinder them too much in their way of living, want you to believe that, to be saints, one must perform brilliant actions, apply oneself to extraordinary devotional practices, embrace great austerities, do many fasts, leave the world to sink into the deserts, in order to spend the days and nights in prayer. No doubt this is very good, it is indeed the route that many saints have followed; but this is not what God asks of everyone. No, this is not what our holy religion demands of us; on the contrary, she tells us: “Lift up your eyes to heaven, and see if all those who fill the holy places have done wonderful things. Where are the miracles of the Blessed Virgin, of St. John the Baptist, of St. Joseph? » Listen: Jesus Christ himself said that many on the day of judgment will cry out: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name; have we not cast out demons and performed miracles? » (Mt 7:22) “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity, the righteous Judge will answer them; What ! you commanded the sea, and you did not know how to command your passions? You have delivered those possessed by the devil, and you have not kept my commandments?… Go, you wretches, into the eternal fire; you have done great things, and you have done nothing to save yourself and deserve my love.” You see therefore that holiness does not consist of doing great things, but of faithfully keeping the commandments of God, and of fulfilling one’s duties in the state in which the good God has placed us.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team