HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY (1)

HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN MARY VIANNEY

THEME: Discovering the identity of Jesus

BY: Fr. Justin Nzekwe

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY AUGUST 4 2022

Discovering the identity of Jesus is very important in our lives as Christians. It is possible for us to be going to Church for many years without knowing whom Jesus really is. In the gospel reading of today, Jesus asked his disciples, “whom do the people say that the son of man is?” They replied to him: “some said you are John the Baptist, some Elijah, some Jeremiah, or some of the prophets.” But when Jesus put the question directly to them, “But you, whom do you say I am?” It was only Simon Peter that was able to answer the question, saying, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” One may begin to wonder why Jesus was asking his disciples about whom he is. Shouldn’t he presume that they already know whom he is, since they have been following him for a very long time?

However, for most of us, the only things we know about Jesus are those things which we heard from other about Jesus. Many of us have not taken time to understand personally whom Jesus is in their lives. Some of us are yet to build a relationship with Jesus. Many of us have reduced the identity of Jesus only with the number of times he answered their prayers. They follow the Jesus who can heal their sicknesses, but not the one that can give eternal life. Some follow Jesus that can do miracles, but not the one that was crucified at Calvary. Any identity of Jesus which does not have foundation in our journey towards eternal life is an incomplete identity of Jesus. Jesus said to his disciples: “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance”.

The true identity of Jesus is discovered through prayers, through works of mercy and by listening and reading the word of God. When we open our hearts to Jesus, he comes into our hearts with many blessings and make our hearts his home. Jesus said to Peter, “: you are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the powers of the underworld will not prevail over it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: everything you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and everything you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” This same power and blessings Jesus gave Peter today is the foundation for the sacrament of penance.

Saint John Maria Vianney whom we celebrate today is known for his pastoral zeal as a parish priest. He spent so much hours in the confessional, hearing the confessions of people. We pray in this holy mass through his intercession that God will open our hearts to know and to understand him more, and may our relationship with God bring us the reward of eternal life in heaven, Amen!