Daily Word

Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 · in memory of Ben
A devotion that follows the Mass — not a substitute for it.
Opening Greeting

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Welcome, brothers and sisters, as we gather in the light of Christ to hear God's holy Word and lift our hearts in prayer.

Penitential Act

Lord Jesus, you came to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you draw near to all who call upon your name: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you promise eternal life to those who trust in you: Lord, have mercy.

♪ “Penitential Act (Piano)” — A song for Ben
Liturgy of the Word
Reading 1  · Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22
The following message came to Jeremiah from the LORD: For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Write all the words I have spoken to you in a book.For thus says the LORD: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; There is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; Why cry out over your wound? your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you.Thus says the LORD: See!  I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity; City shall be rebuilt upon hill, and palace restored as it was. From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men. I will make them not few, but many; they will not be tiny, for I will glorify them. His sons shall be as of old, his assembly before me shall stand firm; I will punish all his oppressors. His leader shall be one of his own, and his rulers shall come from his kin. When I summon him, he shall approach me; how else should one take the deadly risk of approaching me? says the LORD. You shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Responsorial Psalm · Psalm 102:16-18, 19-21, 29, 22-23
♪ “Happy the poor in spirit” — Br Michael Herry fms — Marist Music
Gospel · Matthew 14:22-36
Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.or:Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14Some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.” He summoned the crowd and said to them, “Hear and understand. It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” Then his disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” He said in reply, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Alleluia
♪ International Liturgy Publications (ilpmusic.org)
The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.
Homily

The prophet Jeremiah speaks today with raw, unforgettable honesty: 'Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise…'

How deeply those words echo when we face a loss that seems to shatter our world. Scripture never pretends that pain is easy. There are moments when grief feels like a heavy wound no human remedy can mend.

And in that quiet ache, many loving parents and families carry a silent, unbearable weight in their hearts… wondering, *Did we miss something? Could we have done more?*

If that question ever touches your soul, hear the gentle truth of Christ today. Illness and loss are never a punishment from God. They are never the fault of those who loved and cared so fiercely. Some sorrows come beyond all human control, and no watchfulness could have changed the outcome. Lift that stone from your heart. You missed nothing. You gave everything love could possibly give.

God’s word through Jeremiah does not leave us in the valley of tears. He promises: 'See! I will restore… From them will resound songs of praise, the laughter of happy men.'

God’s love is a restoring love. We see that bright, uplifting joy so clearly in the life of Benjamin Vo. Benjamin was a boy whose mind and heart were always looking upward. Think of his quiet delight during airport spotting with his father—sitting together, watching those giant commercial jets lift off into the open sky, his face lit up with pure wonder.

It has been seven weeks since Ben took his own flight into the arms of Jesus. Seven weeks of deeply missing his smile, his voice, his gentle heart.

To Alan, Thao, and dear Ryan: God sees your tears, and He wraps His loving arms around your family today. Keep living with courage, caring for Ryan, and letting Ben’s bright memory guide your days.

To Ben’s aunts, uncles, everyone joining us from afar, and every family carrying a heavy cross: Christ is near. Benjamin rests now in the heavenly kingdom, where every wound is healed, and where love lives forever.

Meditation
♪ “The Solid Ground (Organ)” — A song for Ben
Prayers of the Faithful

For the intentions entrusted to Ben on our prayer wall:

“Hey Ben - sitting on the plane thinking of you. Life is so short. I still can’t believe that you’re no longer here with us. Thanks for being my Son on this earth for 15 years. I hope to reunite with you forever in Heaven someday. In the meantime please ‘watch over’ your parents like you promised me in my dreams. I love you so much Ben.” — Dad
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.
“Ben, today I'm tossing and turning again, my eyes are closed but I can't sleep. I think about you so much. I love you so much, Ben.”
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.
“Missing you more and more each day Ben. hope you’re meeting new friends in Heaven. Please help ease our pain and please help any parents out there in the world that are going through the same thing that we're going through. May they find some sort of comfort, love, and some kind of hope to move forward.”
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.
“I miss you so much Ben” — Dad
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.
“I miss you so much my Son - my best friend - my ps5 gaming buddy! Please watch over our family.” — Dad
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.
“Mommy and Daddy miss you so much Ben. Please pray for Moms’s health as she hasn't been sleeping much. Please pray for your family on earth and to learn how to navigate this life without you.” — Dad
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.
“Ben, may your spirit live on in joy and peace with Heavenly Father, and may He send His angels to watch over your parents and brother. May they be comforted daily with His love and grace, and may you all be reunited together forever one day as an eternal family. Sending our love to you!!!”
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.
“I miss you, Ben. Please help Mom and me. We are suffering and in deep pain daily. Please help us figure this out... How do we continue living with this pain? Why do our hearts feel like they are six feet outside our bodies? Please pray for us so that we can carry on and take care of your brother.”
… we entrust to Ben, who carries it to the Lord.
℟ Ben, pray for us.

🕯 Light your own prayer on the prayer wall →

The Lord’s Prayer

At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Communion Song
♪ “Living Bread (Choir & Piano)” — A song for Ben
Concluding Blessing

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

✝ May almighty God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Closing Song
♪ “Send Me Out (Version B)” — A song for Ben
Earlier Days
Questions or comments? [email protected]