Vincent de Paul

September 27, 2017:  St. Vincent de Paul, Priest

See ten connections with today?
Legend below

Listen

• Your hands, O Lord, in days of old (Thine arm, O Lord...)/ Plumptre:  original lyrics (gospel)

From the Vatican

Pope Francis General Audience:  It's important to combat all that threatens our hope.  As Pandora’s box teaches us, hope is the treasure enabling us to face evil with trust in God’s providence.  Hope motivates many of our brothers and sisters forced to leave home and those who welcome them, trusting in a better tomorrow.  Hope is especially the virtue of the poor.  God came into this world among the poor, to bring the good news of our salvation.  Hope is also the virtue of the young, who deserve not to be robbed of it by society.  Hope’s greatest enemy is spiritual emptiness, the “noonday devil” that tempts us to stop fighting and to yield to discouragement.  Ask the Lord for grace to hope in his promises, confident that his victory will fill us with joy.

For World Tourism Day:  Sustainable tourism, a tool for development:  Tourism is very important in light of all the travelers and workers involved, the economic, cultural, and social benefits it can bring, and the risks and dangers it can create.  Last year there were some 1.2 billion tourist arrivals.  Tourism is 10% of the GDP and provides 1 out of 11 jobs; it can foster growth and fight poverty.  But true development must go beyond the economic to develop the whole person (Populorum progressio 14), promoting “full-bodied humanism,” including all needs for the development of each person in dignity (42).  Integral human development includes sustainability and embraces all aspects of life.

"Sustainable tourism"  must be responsible, not detrimental to the environment or the locality, respectful of the population and their heritage, dignity, and rights, especially of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable.  Holiday time is a noble time when everyone can add value to lives.  Sustainable tourism can provide new opportunities for economies in difficulty.  It helps eradicate poverty, protect the environment, improve quality of life, empower women and youth, and contribute to sustainable development, promoting ecological, social, and economic sustainability.   This year is an opportunity to encourage governments to adopt appropriate policies, the industry to embrace good practice, raise awareness, and highlight how tourism can foster sustainable development.

We Christians want to offer our contribution so tourism may assist in the development of peoples, especially the most disadvantaged.  God created the universe and makes us brothers and sisters.  We must focus on the human person, recognizing the dignity of each person, relationships among persons, the common destiny of the human family, and the universal destination of goods.  We must be responsible stewards and understand the logic of gift and our duties of solidarity, justice, and charity.

We invite all involved in the sector to discern and to promote sustainable tourism and corresponding behaviors and lifestyle changes.  The Church is launching initiatives that place tourism in the service of integral human development.  We talk about tourism with a human touch, based on projects of community tourism, cooperation, solidarity, and appreciation of the great, beautiful artistic heritage.

Our common home must rise on the foundations of a right understanding of universal fraternity and respect for the sacredness of every human life; it must be built on the understanding of the sacredness of creation (Pope Francis to UN General Assembly).  May we live out this commitment!

Read

• Ezr 9:5-9  I rose, fell on my knees, and said to the Lord, “I'm too ashamed to raise my face to you, for our guilt reaches to heaven.  We've been delivered up for our wicked deeds to foreign kings, the sword, captivity, pillage, and disgrace.  And now the Lord has given us mercy and relief.  We're slaves, but God has turned the Persian kings' good will toward us, giving us new life to restore the house of God....”

• Tobit 13:2, 3-4abefghn, 7-8  "Blessed be God, who lives for ever."  He scourges, then has mercy; casts down and brings up.  Praise him; though he's scattered you, he's shown you his greatness.  Bless the Lord, King of ages....

• Lk 9:1-6  Jesus gave power and authority to the Twelve and sent them to proclaim the Kingdom and heal the sick:  “Take nothing.  Stay at and leave from whatever house you enter.  When they don't welcome you, shake the dust from your feet.”  They set out to proclaim the good news and cure diseases.

Reflect

• Msgr. Albert Bahhuth homily video:  Be on the move; bring Christ with you wherever you go.

• Creighton:  Appreciating my God-given strengths and using them to serve others is integral to my spirituality.  May we play to our strengths as we meet people where they are and invite them to live the good news.

• One Bread, One Body:  "Jesus' simple power":  When gave his apostles "power and authority to overcome demons and cure diseases," he didn't let them take staff, bag, bread, money, or extra clothes.  Worldly power is often complex, but power in Christ is often simple, based on having less, not more. The most powerful act in history is the death and Resurrection of Jesus, who lived in poverty and emptied himself; in weakness God's power reaches perfection.  "God exalted him and bestowed on him the name above every other."  Lord, make me poor and simple enough to be powerful....

St. Vincent de Paul

• Passionist:  Jesus sent the Twelve out with only the present moment and knowledge that God's Kingdom was at hand.  What do I need to proclaim the Kingdom?  The trappings I think I need can obscure the message.  I need to set aside whatever clouds the simple, beautiful, life-changing truth of God's love and invitation....

• DailyScripture.net:  "Jesus gave them authority":  What kind of power and authority does God want you to exercise?  He can change our lives. Jesus wedded power and authority with love and humility, teaching us to use power for others' good.  He tells the apostles to travel light so they'll be free from greed and make room for God's provision. The Lord wants us to depend on him, not ourselves; he wants to work in and through us.  Do I place myself at his service?

• Universalis:  Vincent de Paul, priest, servant of the poor, founder of the Congregation of the Mission ('Vincentians':  world and local sites) co-founder (with St. Louise de Marillac) of Daughters of Charity (world and local sites); see also Vincentian family.

Dress legend

• 'Sword' tie pin:  We've been delivered up to the sword (1st reading)

• 'Eyeball' pin:  God has brightened our eyes and given us relief (1st reading)

• 'Hands' pin:  I stretched out my hands to the Lord (1st reading); No one can escape God's hand (psalm)

• 'Boundless mercy' pin:  The Lord gave us mercy and relief (1st reading); God has mercy (psalm)

• 'Crown' tie bar:  Exalt the King of ages (psalm)

• 'Doctor's office' tie:  Jesus sent the Twelve to... heal the sick (gospel)

• 'Feet' pin:  When you're not welcomed, shake the dust from your feet (gospel)

• White shirt:  St. Vincent de Paul memorial

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