We conclude our week reflecting on the life of Saint Vincent de Paul , a giant of charity. His spirit and the readings point us toward Servi...
We conclude our week reflecting on the life of Saint Vincent de Paul, a giant of charity. His spirit and the readings point us toward Service, Security, and Sacrifice.
St. Vincent de Paul is the patron of all forms of charity because his entire life was a testament to Service. He saw Christ in the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and his great work was to organize the Church for systematic Service to those in need. The Christian life is not passive; it is an active response of love.
The First Reading offers us profound Security. The new Jerusalem will have no need of physical walls, for the Lord Himself will be a "wall of fire round about it" and will dwell in its midst. This Security is a gift of God's presence. St. Vincent de Paul found his Security not in earthly possessions or power, but in doing the will of God, especially for the least of His people.
Finally, the Gospel brings us back to Sacrifice. Jesus' second prediction of His passion—His being "delivered into the hands of men"—foreshadows the ultimate Sacrifice. The disciples were afraid to understand this difficult truth. The life of Service modeled by St. Vincent de Paul requires daily Sacrifice—of our time, our comfort, and our resources. Without sacrifice, service is shallow; with it, our security is complete.
Let us honor St. Vincent de Paul today by embracing a life of joyful Service, built on the rock of divine Security, and motivated by the love of Christ's perfect Sacrifice. Amen.
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