St John Vianney and the Canaanite woman

St John Vianney and the Canaanite woman
 
At first sight, it seems unlikely that there would be a similarity between today's Saint, John Vianney, and the Canaanite woman in the gospel (Matthew 15:21-28). However I was surprised to find that both were initially rejected and then through their sincerity and faith had their dreams fulfilled. John Vianney was born in France at the time of the French Revolution when anticlericalism was at its peak. After many difficulties, he was finally ordained a priest in 1815, and in 1818 was appointed to the remote town of Ars, which had 340 inhabitants and 4 pubs. He preached against the resultant intoxication and also condemned dancing. This made him unpopular and a petition was signed asking for his removal on the grounds that he was incompetent, lazy and unpopular. He asked to read it and said, ''that's right'' and signed it himself! His humility and special gifts as a confessor won over his opponents and eventually thousands came from other regions to talk and confess to him. The non Jewish Canaanite woman begged Jesus to cure her daughter but Jesus at first refuses claiming that his mission is only to the Jewish people. She cleverly answers him and Jesus praises her saying, ''Great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish.'' May these two examples encourage us when we do not seem to have the faith or courage to achieve all that we know we should and could do in our lives.
 
Don Hornsey