Memorial of Saint Vincent de Paul, priest
Today our first reading comes from the book of Job in the Old Testament. This book – the story of Job – can evoke difficult questions for those who think about it. Why would God allow such evils to happen to such a good person? Why would God enter into a contest (of sorts) with the devil which involved ruining someone’s life? But perhaps the most important question we can ask ourselves about Job is, what can we take from this story for our own lives? And when we consider that last question, we can see that Job stands as a model for us in many ways.
Like Job, we all encounter suffering. Sometimes, unlike Job, we bring that suffering upon ourselves by making imprudent decisions (drinking too much alcohol for example, and then getting into an argument that we later regret). But at other times, we seem, like Job, to be doing everything right: praying daily, offering our work to God, living in right relationship with family and friends, etc. And yet we still encounter suffering, seemingly unmerited. So one thing we can learn from Job is a complete and utter dependence on God. Whether we are financially successful or bankrupt, we are dependent on God. Whether we are blessed by family joys or burdened by family conflict, we are dependent on God. Whether we live full, active, healthy lives or suffer from terminal illness, we are dependent on God.
When Job learned of the calamities that had befallen him, his prayer was one that acknowledged his dependence on God. Job was prepared to recognize his dependence on God in this situation because he also recognized his dependence on God in his life prior to these misfortunes. Today’s gospel reading from Luke also reflects this theme of dependence. Jesus uses the example of a child, noting that whoever is the least is actually the greatest. Children, as we know, are utterly dependent on their parents. They have to follow their parents’ rules, they rely on their parents to provide them with food, shelter, and clothing, and they crave and need their parents’ love.
As Christians, we are called to be dependent on God in this way; we ought to recognize that everything we have comes from God, our good and loving Father who loved us so much that he gave us the best gift possible in the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, our Brother, Jesus the Christ. To live out this childlike spirituality, we must live lives of gratitude, never letting a day pass wherein we fail to thank God for his many gifts to us. Whether we thank God for the beautiful weather, our beautiful families, our jobs, our food, or even our struggles, we must always remember to be grateful for our blessings and to use them as opportunities to grow more dependent on God, and closer to God. If we practice this attitude of gratitude, then, like Job, we will be prepared to maintain our dependence on God and trust in God even in the midst of difficult situations.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent de Paul, the great 17th century saint who certainly lived out a life of dependence on God. Whether it was ministering to convicted criminals or preaching to the poor in rural areas or establishing seminaries or meeting with government leaders, this saint recognized that everything came from God and that our lives are best lived when they are lived for God, in gratitude for all that we’ve been given.
Today, let us pray that we can grow in dependence on God. Let us remember that everything we have comes from God and that all gifts and sufferings can be opportunities to grow closer to God. May we especially always be grateful for our redemption in Christ Jesus!
- Maria Morrow