Homily: Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul

Readings:  1 Cor 1:26-31; Psalm 112; Mt 9:35-38

A wonderful day today, the memorial of our parish’s patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul, who devoted his life and ministry to serving the poor and the forgotten, and had a lasting impact throughout the world. How blessed we are that he intercedes for the good of our parish and the needs of our community.

Back in May of 1985, on a business trip to Europe, I spent a weekend in Paris. It wasn’t planned as a pilgrimage, but it kind of turned into one. I visited Notre Dame Cathedral and Sacre-Coeur, but I also went to the Lazarists Mission where the remains of St. Vincent de Paul are interred. His remains are inside a waxy effigy that’s not easy to find, but I’d been tipped off in advance and so managed to find the saint.

As I spent a few minutes in prayer, I noticed the small crucifix in his hands. Later I was told by a friend that Vincent was called to the bedside of King Louis XIII in May 1643 and held that crucifix before the eyes of the dying king. That this man, so devoted to the poor and dispossessed, should have been called to the bedside of the king tells us much of the effect Vincent had on every element of French society. St. Vincent’s deep love for the poor was not so exclusive that he couldn’t assist a king in his dying hour. As St. Paul reminded us in today's reading:

“God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong, and God chose the lowly and despised of the world, those who count for nothing, to reduce to nothing those who are something…” [1 Cor 1:27-28]

You can be sure Vincent reminded the dying king that he would leave this world powerless and in poverty, and yet would still be showered by the Father’s love. After all, at the very heart of the Gospel are those words from John, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” [Jn 3:16] -- precious words that reveal to us the cost to the Father’s heart: ‘He gave…”

This shouldn’t surprise us, here in a parish dedicated to this remarkable saint, who mirrored God’s loving care for those forgotten by the world. We, then, are called to be a community of love, a work in progress, with a heart that strives to emulate Vincent and serve all who come to us in need.

The love in St. Vincent’s heart, and I hope in ours as well, is the same love of God Paul told the Romans “has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” [Rom 5:5]. Yes, indeed, it’s the Holy Spirit who works through us to do God’s work in the world. And that’s what we must always remember…

As the Psalmist reminds us: Non nobis, Domine, non nobis…Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory. It’s God’s work, not ours. It’s for God’s glory, not ours. You and I must draw our inspiration and strength, just as St. Vincent did, from Jesus Christ crucified, from Jesus whose Good News broke down the barriers that separate us, making peace by the Blood of His Cross.

I have a feeling that St. Vincent, were he here with us today, would just say one word to us: “More!” Not more for ourselves, but more for the poor, the forgotten of the world…more justice for them, more time for them, food for the hungry, healing for the suffering, more love. Because St. Vincent recognized Jesus’ presence in the poor, he would ask us not only to do more, but also to do all with the gentleness and love of Jesus.

He was motivated, not by politics or sociology or any human cause, but by the love he had for the person of Jesus Christ. As St. Vincent often said, “Nothing pleases me but in Jesus Christ.”

And like Jesus in today’s Gospel passage from Matthew, St. Vincent was always on the move, always sharing God’s love with those who most needed to experience it, always sharing God’s Word with those who most needed to hear it.

Jesus’ plea in the Gospel echoes through the centuries. The harvest today is even more abundant and there are certainly not enough laborers. Far too many Christians seem to believe only the clergy and religious are called to do God’s work in the world. But in truth we’re all called to serve, to serve others, and to witness to Jesus, every single one of us. As the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council instructed the laity:

“They are consecrated for the royal priesthood and the holy people, not only that they may offer spiritual sacrifice in everything they do, but also that they may witness to Christ throughout the world.”

Here the Fathers simply followed the command of Jesus who, right before His Ascension, told the disciples:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" [Acts 1:8].

Yes, indeed, Jesus calls each of us, so that through the Holy Spirit we can make disciples, and serve, and witness wherever we are, in Wildwood, in The Villages, and to the ends of the earth.