“MOMMY, I’M THIRSTY, can I have a drink of water?”
“Dad, can you please help me with my school project?”
“Can you spare some change?”
We have all heard these or similar requests, and it’s highly likely we have made some ourselves. What do they all have in common? Well, these are all related to the KEY THAT OPENS THE GATES OF HEAVEN, and this key is located in Matthew 25: 31 — 40.
Jesus knows and loves each of us individually. He told the story of the Last Judgement to help us understand that He identifies with each of us to such a point that He personally accepts the Works of Mercy offered to our fellow human beings. This means that the good we do or fail to do to others is the good we do or fail to do for Jesus. As a parent, older sibling, relative, friend or parishioner, most likely we don’t consciously think “I’m offering a Work of Mercy” when others come with their needs and requests. Out of the goodness of our hearts, we simply respond to the given situation as best as we can under the circumstances. Jesus will thank us for every act of love: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you …” (Mt. 25:34)
Throughout our Church’s history, saints are noted for the preeminent way in which they lived various virtues. St. Vincent de Paul, whose feast day we celebrate on Sept. 27, was renowned for his compassion, humility, and generosity. Born in 1581, he died in Paris, France, on this day in 1660 at the age of 79. Throughout his lifetime he served among the poor in Paris as well as collecting funds to start hospitals, assist victims of war and provide for missionaries. Additionally, his charitable works included raising funds to ransom 1,200 galley slaves from North Africa. St. Vincent is the patron of all works of charity.
In heaven we will understand how the seeds of charity we sowed by lovingly responding to the needs of others bore fruit in the future. Approximately two hundred years after St. Vincent’s death, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 by Blessed Frederic Ozanam at the age of 20 to help the poor and needy in the slums of Paris. This student organization took St. Vincent as their patron, with their work eventually spreading to 150 countries. There are now more than 800,000 members worldwide, with an additional 1.5 million volunteers helping in their charitable endeavors.
FOR YOUR FAMILY:
There are seven Corporal (pertaining to physical needs) and seven Spiritual (pertaining to the needs of the soul) Works of Mercy. Choose one or two that you will offer and make a concrete plan of when, where and how to do so.
■ Reach out to those in need in your parish or neighborhood.
■ Become a member of one of the service organizations in your parish or school.
■ Participate in clothing drives at church, school or work.
■ Volunteer to help in the Religious Education program in your parish.
■ Contribute to a Thanksgiving or Christmas Basket for a needy family.
■ Offer to help with an event sponsored by your local St. Vincent de Paul Society.
■ Become a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.