20210927 COMPASSION AT THE HEART OF EVANGELIZATION
27 September, 2021, Monday, St Vincent De Paul
First reading |
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 © |
God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, to shame the wise
Take yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen – those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you, God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God’s doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 111(112):1-9 © |
Happy the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
Happy the man who fears the Lord,
who takes delight in all his commands.
His sons will be powerful on earth;
the children of the upright are blessed.
Happy the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
Riches and wealth are in his house;
his justice stands firm for ever.
He is a light in the darkness for the upright:
he is generous, merciful and just.
Happy the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
The good man takes pity and lends,
he conducts his affairs with honour.
The just man will never waver:
he will be remembered for ever.
Happy the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
He has no fear of evil news;
with a firm heart he trusts in the Lord.
With a steadfast heart he will not fear;
he will see the downfall of his foes.
Happy the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
Open-handed, he gives to the poor;
his justice stands firm for ever.
His head will be raised in glory.
Happy the man who fears the Lord.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamation | Jn10:14 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Matthew 9:35-37 © |
The harvest is rich but the labourers are few
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.
And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
COMPASSION AT THE HEART OF EVANGELIZATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [1 COR 1:26-31; PS 112:1-9; MT 9:35-37 ]
Today, we celebrate the Society of St Vincent De Paul’s (SSVDP) 70th Anniversary in the context of the theme of our archdiocese’s 200th Anniversary, Ignite and Shine. Both of these celebrations are meant to support our archdiocesan vision and mission, which is to build a vibrant, evangelistic and missionary Church. More than ever, the opportunities to reach out to all, far and near, within and outside our Church, Catholic and non-Catholic are many, especially during this time of the Covid Pandemic. The restrictions in physical and social gathering do not hinder our work in the proclamation of the gospel but in fact open up new opportunities and new ways to reach out to people beyond our normal reach.
Indeed, rather than delimiting our work of evangelization, the Covid Pandemic has shown us that the harvest is plentiful, as Jesus tells us in the gospel. In such moments of trial and suffering, the gospel is more readily received. We must think of new ways to reach out to the poor, the suffering, the lonely, the discouraged, the wounded and those in despair. This pandemic has caused much uncertainty and disruption in our lives. Some suffer more than others, whether in terms of employment, business and financial situation. Some depend on government subsidies and handouts. Whilst some have lost their jobs, closed down their businesses, or are even infected by the virus, and died in the process, others are more fortunate, not just in retaining their jobs or businesses but are making more because the situation is in their favour. Still, all of us are living in fear of being infected. Most of all, because of isolation, social and physical distancing, working from home, many of us are emotionally, psychologically and socially affected. It has led to emotional and mental stress due to work, lack of relationship and family squabbles without much outlet to destress ourselves.
It is to such diverse groups of people, all with different needs, that we are called to be heralds of the Good News. This was what our Lord did. “Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.” We are called to be the messengers of the Good News of the Kingdom by bringing hope to those who are forlorn and discouraged and leading people in the way of truth and life. We do this by teaching, but most of all by living, by being a witness of righteous and gracious living. We do this best through works of mercy and healing. Jesus spent most of His life on the ground healing the sick, feeding the hungry, casting out the demons, consoling the sad and downhearted, reconciling sinners, eating and drinking with His apostles and with the people than teaching and talking. It is about being with people and journeying with them in their struggles and pains, sharing their joys and sorrows.
As members of SSVDP, this is what we are called to do, especially during this Covid-19 pandemic. All the more, we are called to help those who are suffering emotionally, psychologically, physically and financially. We must walk with them, visit them and see how we could alleviate their difficulties, especially those who are out of work, or finding it difficult to adjust to all the restrictions and uncertainties. This is what SSVDP members can do that big charitable organizations cannot. Many big organizations lack the personal touch, the accompaniment with those they are helping. They can dish out money and resources but they do not have a personal presence. Whereas SSVDP members do not just offer material and financial assistance, but their time; you show them the face of Jesus by your presence and personal contact, by your words of comfort, and where the opportunity presents itself, share your faith about Jesus. This is something unique about SSVDP’s outreach because it is sincere, personal, non-coercive; truly a desire to help, to accompany and to journey with these people in their pain, loneliness, struggles and fears.
Indeed, the work of SSVDP is rooted in a heart of compassion, not proselytization. This was what motivated our Lord as well. We read in the gospel, “when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus felt sorry for the people as they were lost, harassed and without direction, hungry and wounded. He felt sorry to see them suffering because of illness, possession by the demons. He felt with them in their hunger and when they were tired because of life’s struggles. He understood our sorrows in bereavement, what it meant for the widow of Nain to lose her only son, and the death of Lazarus. He understood what it meant to be marginalized like the lepers, sinners and tax-collectors. Jesus came to heal us and to show us the way to life.
We too must carry out our apostolate not from a superior position of strength and power but purely out of compassion for those who are suffering. When we feel with those who are suffering, we are one with them and not one above them. Their sufferings and fears become ours because we are identified with them. That was why the Son of God assumed our humanity so that He could share our sorrows and our struggles and reveal to us the compassion of His Father. Unless our hearts are moved like our Lord, we would not know how to minister to our Friends-in-need (FIN).
How, then, can we be motivated by compassion if not by gratitude? This is what St Paul reminded the Christians. He wrote, “Take yourselves, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning.” In the early Church, most of the members were slaves and from the lower strata of society whom the rich, the powerful and the intelligentsia despised. But God chose them and gave them the authority to do what He did, in proclaiming the Gospel with power. God chose them to show His unconditional love and to let them know that they were worthy, not because of their status but because of God’s choice. Our love for the poor must be based on the grace of God given to us, and we in turn bestow that grace upon others.
Truly, “the harvest is rich but the labourers are few.” Not only are the labourers few but resources as well. This is where we need to “ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.” We need to pray and trust in His divine providence to send us extra hands to carry out this heavy responsibility of caring for the poor and underprivileged. We cannot do it alone. SSVDP members must not just work for the poor, they must always be conscious of recruiting new ones to join them in these efforts. Through their sharing, their life of compassion, they not only help the poor but inspire others to join them in this most meaningful ministry. Hence, we must mentor others so that we can do more outreach to as many as possible. We must not be contented with the number of members we have.
Finally, the Lord asked us to pray for more labourers. We must not think that our ability to feed the poor or to reach out to them is solely the result of our efforts. It is God who makes it possible for us to help the poor and will supply us the resources. We need to pray as much as we work so that we can put on Christ when we serve. But let us not forget that we need also to support one another as Vincentians and not work in silo. We must come together to pray, meet over zoom if not physically, to share our faith and challenges, our stories and testimonies so that we find encouragement especially in failures and difficulties. In the final analysis, we want to be transformed into Christ and manifest His compassion in us more and more, not just to the FINs but also to our brothers and sisters. Let us grow together in service through our commitment to ongoing formation, sharing, praying and fellowship with each other.
Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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