I read the gospel today - of being sent to proclaim good news. Go bagless, baggageless, homeless, worry less. (Lk 9:1-6). But today's disciple has truckloads of baggage, but s/he is more often godless, faithless and hopeless.
Here is presented St. Vincent De Paul, who possessed God, but much less of other things, but gave to people God in the form of food, clothing and shelter.
In the 17th century he brought about another reformation by focusing on being God's channel of grace to the poor and the rich - To the poor by the consolation he brought to them by attending to their needs; to the rich, by making them channels of God's grace for the poor. He had the uncanny ability to garner the support of the haves for the have-nots. That was a revolution without a split, a revolution without shedding blood.
And it is said that all the methods that the voluntary development and/or aid organisations employ to keep their donors sticking and contributing, were already put to use by him, without the sophisticated technology available now.
And his life has inspired the most vibrant and widespread catholic charity movement - St. Vincent De Paul Society, leading many holy ones, and definitely one more venerated saint - Blessed Frederick Ozanam.
While I am indeed fascinated by this coveted skill for a development/social worker, I am more impressed by the spirituality of humility, which he defines as adherence to truth. To quote him:
"Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying. The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For he does not know how at all to employ it, nor does he know how to defend himself from it."
"Noise makes no good, good makes no noise."
"If God is at the centre of your heart no words are necessary, your mere presence will touch hearts."
God may I possess truth in all humility, and may that be the centre of my heart, which will touch hearts even without speaking!
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