Memorial of Saint
Vincent de Paul, priest
(Haggai 1:1-8; Luke 9:18-22)
St. Vincent de Paul founded the Daughters of Charity to
take care of the poor. When some began
to worry because their mission would take them away from common prayer, Vincent
told them that the concern was not justified.
He said that they were leaving Christ to go to Christ. In today’s gospel we see Jesus in a similar
disguise.
Peter correctly reveals the identity when he calls him “the
Christ of God.” But Jesus tells him and
the others not to talk about it because the identity could only be
misunderstood. Jesus is not one to rule
with an army and judge with a police force.
Rather he comes as one anointed (the root of the word Christ) to serve the people. He is a teacher and a leader whom the people
voluntarily follow.
Christ does not walk among us to day but that does not
mean he is not present. One of the more
acute modes of his presence is the poor.
By assisting them we have an opportunity to know his love and to realize
his promise.
