Saint John Mary Vianney, Priest
Tuesday of week 18 in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 15:1-2,10-14In today's Gospel, Jesus warns His disciples about the danger of spiritual blindness: “If one blind man guides another, both will fall into a pit.” The Pharisees were experts in religious practices, yet they failed to recognize the heart of God's law because they placed human traditions above God's truth. Blindness begins whenever we stop allowing God to purify our hearts and instead rely only on our own opinions, prejudices, or outward appearances. Every Christian is called to be a witness who leads others towards Christ, but we can only do so if we ourselves continually walk in His light. We cannot give what we do not possess. Before teaching, correcting, or guiding others, we must first be humble disciples who allow the Gospel to enlighten our minds and convert our hearts. John Mary Vianney became an extraordinary guide of souls not because of exceptional human abilities, but because he spent his life allowing Christ to shape him through prayer, humility, and the sacrament of reconciliation. His life reminds us that the best guide is the one who first allows himself to be guided by God. The Gospel invites us to seek the light of Christ every day, so that our words, decisions, and example may help others walk towards Him rather than away from Him. Let’s reflect: Am I allowing Christ to enlighten my own heart each day, so that I can truly guide others towards Him rather than leading them according to my own limited vision?
Don Giorgio