Zechariah 8:1-8; Ps.102; Luke 9:46-50
In the Gospel, we see the disciples arguing over who is the greatest. Jesus reminds them that all are to be servants. A man is great not by the number of servants he has but by the number of those he serves. Today’s Gospel acclamation, Mark 10:45 says “The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Beloved, greatness is a function of humility, simplicity and service. Today the Church celebrates the memorial of St Vincent de Paul, born in France in 1581, he became a great priest based on the service he rendered to the poor and destitute. In 1625 he founded the Congregation of the Missions (the Vincentians) and, in 1633, the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul to carry on his work. He died in 1660 and he is the patron saint of all charitable societies and in particular the society of St. Vincent de Paul. If you want to be great then serve others.
LET US PRAY
O God, who for the relief of the poor and the formation of the clergy endowed the Priest Saint Vincent de Paul with apostolic virtues, grant, we pray, that, afire with that same spirit, we may love what he loved and put into practice what he taught. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen!
