Feast of St. Vincent de Paul/Why we should help the Poor?

Have you ever wondered why we should help the poor? 

 Fr. Nelson Lobo OFM Cap

Is it only because they are poor and suffering and we must help them? 

Is it because God has given us more and they less? 

Is it because we are fortunate and they are less fortunate? 

A big NO! 

If we understand the mind of ST. VINCENT DE PAUL whose feast we are celebrating (27th Sept) we must help the poor in order to become HOLY. Helping the poor sanctifies us. So the goal is HOLINESS and the method is CHARITY. 

Bible has nearly 3000 verses with regard to the poor and poverty. The richest man to ever grace the planet earth King Solomon said two things causes poverty: Injustice (Prov 13:23; Eccl 4:1) and laziness (Prov10:4; 19:15 Eccl 4:5). 

God tells us to Remember the Poor (Gal 2:10). God loves the poor and so must we. God always had a special love for the poor (Mt. 25:41-45) therefore an important test of godliness/holiness is a concern for the poor. Exploitation or neglect of poor people has always made God’s ‘blood’ boil (Lev 25:35; Deut 15:7-11; Prov 14:31; 21:13; 22:22-23). 

Without charity there is no Christianity; we pray for good health the poor pray for food; we pray for light and water the poor pray for a shelter; we pray for promotion and growth the poor pray for remaining alive. Our giving can help a desperate situation (Philip 4:13-19). 

At one point the Philippians were the only ones who helped Paul. And now we may be the only ones who can and will help someone else in a desperate situation. We can be the ones who make a difference. We can be the answer to someone's prayer. Our giving can even be a miracle in someone's life. If you can be the reason for their smile you will be their ‘God’. 

As I wish all the members of the SSVP I recommend that many more join this association and reach out to the poor. Think Holiness think Charity. Happy feast to you and to your family.  

Cf; Wondering Guru (16)