Memorial of St. John Vianney, Priest

The Responsorial Psalm urges: “Sing with joy to God our help” (Psalm 81).  

Numbers 11: 4-15 shows us Moses wishing God had never called him to ministry. Unable to satisfy the people’s demands, he cried out to God: “I am not able to carry all these people alone…. If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death….” 

God was actually providing for the people with manna from heaven. But they had grown tired of it. They wanted meat and vegetables — a legitimate desire in itself, but pretty ungrateful under the circumstances. God was saving them from slavery and feeding them miraculously in the desert! But isn’t it true that when things go wrong, we too tend to forget all the things God is doing for us and focus on the one prayer he seems to be ignoring? That is why it is important to recall and celebrate the reasons we have for being grateful: “Sing with joy to God our help” 

To encourage people to celebrate is an important act of ministry. When the psalmist felt sad, he remembered how he “went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving…” (Psalm 42). And if we help each other to celebrate with joy and enthusiasm — at Mass, for example — we strengthen each other’s faith, hope, and appreciation for God. This is mutual ministry. 

Matthew 14: 13-21 shows us a similar situation. The crowds had followed Jesus out into the desert and had nothing to eat. When he told his disciples, “You give them something to eat,” they replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” This is often the way Christian ministers feel (e.g. parents): “Lord, we can’t take care of all these people! We don’t have enough money, help, or talent. Sometimes we even feel you aren’t giving out enough grace to make our efforts fruitful!” 

Jesus’ answer is to give himself. He “took the loaves… blessed, broke and gave them to his disciples…” We automatically continue, “saying, ‘Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body.’” That is the liturgical formula the Gospel words echo. The one thing we can always share with others is Jesus: our knowledge of him, our experience of his action in our lives, our appreciation of him. We can share his divine life with others by giving expression to the faith, hope, and love that are in our hearts by grace. 

Especially, we can invite people to the Eucharist. If the people in church join in this ministry by making the celebration joyful and enthusiastic, “singing with joy to God our help,” Jesus will multiply the results. 

Initiative: Be a priest. Have pity on your crowd; share Jesus with them.  

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #407, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.