Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 18th week in ordinary time, August 4, 2026, Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Jeremiah 30: 1-2.12-15.18-22; Rs psalm 102: 16-21.29.22-23; Matthew 15: 1-2.10-14.THE BLIND SHOULD NOT LEAD THE BLIND Our meditation today has the theme: The Blind ShouldNot Lead The Blind. John Vianney is a saint who brought together two qualitiesof human person, namely man's fragility and man's wisdom. During the years offormation and education then until he became a priest, John was known to bevery weak or fragile in the aspect of intellectual ability to study. Consequently, he was given not only some humble duties,but also he was not expected to do much for others. It was natural that he wasunderestimated with such expression: "The blind should not lead theblind". He was merely a man who did not have enough knowledge, and howcould he as a priest teach and guide people? However, as we all know very well that God alwaysempowers the little ones, John was enriched by the Lord with divine blessingsthen was made a very special priest that the Church and people of his timetruly needed. In a remote parish where he dedicated his entire life, he was aman of God very well known to be full of wisdom and love of God. People camefrom all over France and the world to meet him for confession, good spiritualguidance, prayer intentions, and blessings. For the Catholic Church, thisL'Arch Saint is the patron of priests, especially the parish priests. John's main duty was to guide the people in the way toGod. This work is the same as to lead, to direct and to teach. There should besomeone who has more quality and who is trusted to do this work. The work ofguidance, teaching or leading cannot happen as it is expected to be if there isno trust between persons concerned. This work of guidance relies very much on the twoimportant human qualities within us, namely reason which is the intellectualaspect and faith which is the divine wisdom. The prophet Jeremiah used thesetwo qualities in order to develop awareness and faith of the people of Israelabout the punishment and blessings that were properly being given to them bythe Lord.                                                                                                                                        The Pharisees and the scribes were condemned by Jesusbecause added to their being so strong in the rejection of Jesus Christ, theyactually led many common people not in the way toward God but to be away fromGod. They were not like Jeremiah, John Vianney and Jesus Christ Himself. Theywere the people and many other in the same pattern who are actually blind aboutliving out the true faith, yet they assume an authority to lead many otherpeople who want to grow in true faith and who still need to learn more on thefaith in God. So, our great challenge today is to strengthenourselves with intellectual and faith qualities, and to be remain the truefollowers of Christ, so that we do not fall into sin that cause others alsointo sin. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord and our God, may our words and deedsalways be the right guidance for our neighbors. Glory to the Father and to theSon and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...