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| Do not turn your face away from one who is poor |
- Sunday Homily by Deacon Marian, St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Newmarket
Today, the Church celebrates World Day of the Poor. This year’s theme is: Do not turn away your face from anyone who is poor.
St. Vincent de Paul is one of the very well-known saints of the Church. His life, commitment and dedication to God are inspirational and exemplary. He was a truly great servant of God, who devoted himself to the poor and the needy. This young Frenchman, shortly after his ordination to the priesthood, was abducted on a ship, auctioned off as a slave and spent two years in bondage. Through many of his own hard experiences St. Vincent de Paul helped those who were marginalized and underprivileged. He founded a congregation of people who were concerned about the care of those who had been neglected by society, ignored and abandoned, with no one to help or assist them.
His works and ministry inspired many others during his life and after his passing, and eventually led to the foundation of the modern day Society of St. Vincent de Paul that is renowned for its work among the poor throughout the world.
The parable of the talents, which Jesus uses in today’s gospel is very interesting and challenging, and so appropriate on this World Day of the Poor.
We cannot forget that nothing is really ours alone. Anything we own is God's gift. God's gift is not only our money or possessions or ownership, but also our friendships, relations, skills, talents, spiritual powers and various charisms.
We should be and live, with all we have, in the view of all; like nature around us, like a flower in the sun, like the sun itself. We obviously need to own things, of course the right to private property is valid. St. John Paul II said it very clearly in his encyclical "On Social Concern": The goods of the world are meant for all.
The conclusions from today’s gospel parable are hard, when we consider that in our 21st century many people are still poor, hungry and suffering because of the inadequate distribution of resources and other injustices.
Obviously we as individuals cannot do much, but if we think and reflect on the life and service of St. Vincent de Paul, we definitely can start to build a bridge between those in need and ourselves.
Having heard today’s Gospel let us be filled with the conviction and the desire to use our gifts, talents and treasure. Let us all be exemplary, righteous and worthy in all of our actions, so that we may truly be good role models for one another in our daily lives.
Let us be mindful of our baptismal promises, our obligations and calling to serve God with faith and commitment, and to proclaim the Good News always by being Christ's real presence to all people in our world.
And in our own ways let us assist all people in need. May this special Day of the Poor become an opportunity for opening our hearts to share some of our talents, gifts, time and resources.
Deacon Marian is a member of SSVP in Newmarket.