SAINT JOHN VIANNEY, PRIEST (MEMORIAL)

These are the festivals of the Lord.

Today’s first reading describes five sacred assemblies for the people of Israel to observe throughout the course of a year. That’s a lot of celebrating! Why was it so important?

God gave his people these holy days as a gift because he wanted to be close to them. He knew how easy it was for the demands of daily life to obscure their memory of the ways he had been present throughout their history. He knew how much they needed reminders of what mattered most. So God gave the people these memorial feasts as a way to relive those pivotal moments in their past, moments like their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the giving of the Ten Commandments. The sacred celebrations helped the Israelites lift their eyes to him and, if necessary, make a course correction.

The rhythm of the Jewish feasts throughout the year gave order and meaning to the lives of God’s people, just as our Catholic liturgical calendar does for us. God has graced us with seasons like Lent, Easter, and Advent to deepen our connection with him each year. We also have numerous other feast days in remembrance of saints or events in the life of Jesus or Mary that can lift our eyes heavenward. These celebrations encourage us to keep our attention fixed on what truly matters.

Just look at this month, for instance. We celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord on August 6 and the Assumption of Mary on August 15. We have the feasts of St. Lawrence, St. Bartholomew, and the Passion of John the Baptist (August 10, 24, and 29). And there are memorials of other saints on almost every other day of the month!

We have plenty to commemorate. So let’s pay a little more attention to these dates. If there are children in your life, talk to them about what makes these feasts special. Maybe even read a scriptural account of the event or a short biography of the saint. Set aside some extra time for prayer or make a fancy dessert. Celebrate! And remember God’s goodness and faithfulness to you and to the whole Church.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the chance to recall and celebrate your faithfulness throughout the year!”

Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37
Psalm 81:3-6, 10-11
Matthew 13:54-58