by Deacon Scott Haner
During Lent we reflect on our lives and take stock of the many gifts and blessings we have received. While the last few years have been filled with challenges, most all of us have homes to live in, food in our pantries, and family & friends to offer emotional support. Many of the St. Vincent de Paul Louisville clients are not so fortunate.
At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus gave a talk, the Sermon on the Mount, which tells us what he cares about most. First and foremost – us! When he speaks of the poor, the hungry, those weeping, those experiencing hatred, he’s saying, “I see you, I know life can be hard.”
When he speaks for the poor, he’s not just speaking of finances. Many are poor when it comes to emotional stability, or dignity, or respect. When he speaks of hunger, it’s not just about the lack of bread; many hunger for connections, for meaning in life, for love. And all of us weep, over those battling addictions, over broken relationships, over dreams unrealized. Jesus is saying, “I see you, and I want to help.”
That help comes in the form of blessings, God’s favor, and protection. He desires to bless us. And, then he calls us to bless others as we’ve been blessed.
Vincentians reach out with care and compassion to bless those in need, allowing them to experience God’s love. St. Vincent tells us, “Charity is the cement that binds communities to God, and persons to each other.”
Humble charity breaks down the barrier between “we” and “they” – in the end, there’s only us.
St. Teresa of Avila implores us to remember, “Christ has no hands, no feet on earth but yours; yours are the hands through which he blesses the world.”
It could be by donating personal hygiene bags for homeless clients, or serving food in the Open Hand Kitchen, or offering a smile and some fresh vegetables in the Food Pantry. It could be making home visits and offering a bridge to hope for those that call our parishes seeking emergency assistance. And let’s not forgot the myriad of donors and benefactors who generously share their treasure to support the good work of the Society. All of these are blessings indeed. But charitable works offer so much more.
Charity is the channel through which we encounter God through those in need. Let’s realize that the clients aren’t the only ones being blessed. As Matthew 25 reminds us, it will be our charity towards the “least ones” that will open the gate of heaven.
The corporal and spiritual works of mercy are brought to life each day on the downtown campus and in the parish conferences. When done right, we will see Christ in those we serve, and they will see Christ in us. What a blessing that Christ desires to accomplish his good works through our charity. When we serve “in Christ”, we’re in very good company.
To paraphrase St. Vincent, “O, how happy the person of means that uses their wealth, and their life, for the greater glory of God, from whom they have received them.”
Blest are they – Blest are we!
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