We are gearing up for another BHI on the Rocks. This time we won’t be meeting in the usual kind of location. We are having a free summer BBQ in the rather large rectory backyard at St. Peter’s parish rectory on August 4th at 8:00pm.
August 4th happens to be the feast of St. John Vianney. I will speak about the issue of lukewarmness and provide advice from St. John Vianney and others on how to avoid it while we enjoy dinner and ice cold beverages.
What does this 18th century country priest have to say to us today about living our faith? He actually lived in a situation very similar to our own. Ordained three years, he came to Ars, France as pastor in the year 1818, 28 years after the start of the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. Countless priests and religious were killed during this time of persecution leaving many of the country parishes without a priest. Ars was in a sad state when he arrived. It was a poor place made even poorer by the behavior of the inhabitants; very few attended Mass and Sunday (and every other day of the week) was often spent in drunkenness and other sinful behavior. The revolution had almost completely succeeded in bringing about a godless society in the village of Ars. After doing penance on behalf of his flock and spending countless hours praying for his people before the Blessed Sacrament, John Vianney went into the homes, businesses and bars of the village to bring his sheep back into the arms of mother Church. In a moving sermon titled: “On the Dreadful State of the Lukewarm Soul” he describes the sad situation of the Christian who has lost his zeal. He then goes on to give practical advice on how to regain love of God and seriously recommit to the task of holiness. A few short excerpts follow.
“A lukewarm soul is not yet quite dead in the eyes of God because the faith, the hope, and the charity which are its spiritual life are not altogether extinct. But it is a faith without zeal, a hope without resolution, a charity without ardor....
“Nothing touches this soul: it hears the word of God, yes, that is true; but often it just bores it. Its possessor hears it with difficulty, more or less by habit, like someone who thinks that he knows enough about it and does enough of what he should. Any prayers which are a bit long are distasteful to him. This soul is so full of whatever it has just been doing or what it is going to do next, its boredom is so great, that this poor unfortunate thing is almost in agony…
“A lukewarm soul will not, if you like, commit the big sins. But some slander or back-biting, a lie, a feeling of hatred, of dislike, of jealousy, a slight touch of deceit or double-dealing — these count for nothing with it…
“Let us ask God with all our hearts, if we are in this state, to give us the grace to get out of it, so that we may take the route that all the saints have taken and arrive at the happiness that they are enjoying. That is what I desire for you.”
BHI on the Rocks
BHI Instructor Dino Durando will offer relevant advice from St. John Vianney on avoiding spiritual laziness and growing in a life of virtue. BHI on the Rocks will immediately follow Reservoir at St. Peter’s Church.
Reservoir is a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Young Adults and begins at 6:30pm. Confessions are available. After Reservoir, all are invited to join the Bishop Helmsing Institute for a free barbecue in the backyard of the St. Peter’s rectory with the presentation beginning at 8:00pm.
Reservoir and BHI on the Rocks
Thursday, August 4th 2011
St. Peter’s Catholic Church 815 E Meyer Boulevard Kansas City, MO
6:30pm-9:30pm
Visit our Facebook page to say you’ll attend. See you there!
