Combining love of God and neighbour

BY LEN POTHIER

Think about this: our Lord condensed Christian living down to just two actions: love of God and love of neighbour, with the one flowing out of the other.

In addition, when asked how we will be judged on the last day, he did not paint a picture of how our litany of sins will be trotted out, or even whether we did more than just attend Mass regularly. Rather, the measure is to be how we fed the hungry and clothed the naked.

Think about how that measure applies in your life.

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) exists as a means whereby its members can take practical steps towards carrying out Christ’s requirement that we love our neighbours, and offers a wonderful opportunity for living the Gospel values.

They do this despite the image of being a collection of worthy old gentlemen (and ladies!), who act as ushers, sell The Southern Cross after Mass, hold boring meetings, and somehow have a “holier than thou” exclusivity.

So, who are these Vincentians? They are just lay people, men and women. They might sit next to you in church. They humbly and quietly strive, within their human limitations, to try to get closer to living the Gospel values that are so clearly stated in Scripture.

In practical terms, they visit the poor, the sick, and the lonely in their homes, so as to give of themselves. Help of whatever nature is given to all races and creeds without distinction, usually to families who have lost breadwinners, or whose incomes have dried up through misfortune, Aids, and unemployment.

Abandoned children are supported, maintenance and disability grants are found, school fees paid, clothing distributed, and food parcels left where they will do good. Importantly this is done with empathy, care, warmth and compassion.

Typically, once a fortnight (in some parishes weekly) the members come together to compare notes on the families that are being helped, and to decide, with the advice of the spiritual director (usually the parish priest), how best to assist in the circumstances of each case. Families are always visited in pairs, and after a period of time, a close relationship with these families is often built up.

In the normal course of our busy active lives, with our challenges, problems and anxieties it is difficult to give thought to the needs of the desperately poor and needy. And indeed what opportunities exist for actually doing so on a daily or weekly basis? When last did you do any of these things?

Belief requires action. If you believe you are about to be run over by a bus, you must jump out of the way. If you believe in God, and the fact that God is love, then you must do something about it. Visiting hovels and becoming involved in the miseries of others may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but one can help the SVP in many other ways.

Give some of your food: give some of your clothing; give some of your savings; and, if possible, join the SVP and give some of your precious time. Also, remember the SVP in your will.

Let us ignore the ultimate reward—your immediate reward is to be found in the eyes of those whom you help.

To contact the society, enquire at your local parish which may well have a SVP group, and if not the parish will assist you to make contact with the nearest group.

Len Pothier is a member of the SVP. For more information visit www.stvincentdepaul.co.za