Vigils Reading – St Vincent de Paul

GOD LOVES THE POOR

From the writing of St Vincent de Paul1

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Even though the poor are often rough and unrefined, we must not judge

them from external appearances nor from the mental gifts they seem to have

received. On the contrary, if you consider the poor in the light of faith, then you

will observe that they are taking the place of the Son of God who chose to be

poor. Although in his passion he almost lost the appearance of a man and was

considered a fool by the Gentiles and a stumbling block by the Jews, he showed

that his mission was to preach to the poor… We also ought to have this same

spirit and imitate Christ’s actions, that is, we must take care of the poor, console

them, help them, support their cause.

Since Christ willed to be born poor, he chose for himself disciples who

were poor. He made himself the servant of the poor and shared their poverty.

He went so far as to say that he would consider every deed which either helps

or harms the poor as done for or against himself. Since God surely loves the

poor, he also loves those who love the poor. For when one person holds another

dear, he also includes in his affection anyone who loves or serves the one he

loves. That is why we hope that God will love us for the sake of the poor. So,

when we visit the poor and needy, we try to be understanding where they are

concerned. We sympathize with them so fully that we can echo Paul’s words: I

have become all things to all people. Therefore, we must try to be stirred by

our neighbor’s worries and distress. We must beg God to pour into our hearts

sentiments of pity and compassion and to fill them again and again with these

dispositions.13

It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to

offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or

other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind.

Offer the deed to God as your prayer. Do not become upset or feel guilty because

you interrupted your prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected if you leave

him for such service. One of God’s works is merely interrupted so that another

can be carried out. So, when you leave prayer to serve some poor person,

remember that this service is performed for God. Charity is certainly greater

than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity. Since she is a noble

mistress, we must do whatever she commands. With renewed devotion, then,

we must serve the poor, especially beggars and outcasts. They have been given

to us as our masters and patrons.