September 27, 2015: Solemnity of St. Vincent de Paul (Is 52, 7-10; 1 Cor 1, 26-31; 2, 1-2; Mt 5, 1-12a); Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Num 11, 25-29; Jas 5, 1-6; Mk 9, 38-43. 45. 47-48)

I resolved to know nothing except Jesus Christ crucified (1 Cor 2, 2)

Jesus lives the beatitudes fully.

He is the poorest of all, the meekest, hungriest and thirstiest for righteousness, the most merciful and persecuted. Moreover, he must be the cleanest of heart, given that he is the only one who has seen the Father. And could anyone weep more than the one who offers prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the Father, or be a better peacemaker than the one who tears down the wall of enmity between Jews and Gentiles?

Indeed, Jesus is the living example of the life to which he invites us. He bears witness to how right the beatitudes have it and how realizable they are. Embodying them, those who imitate and concentrate on him become his disciples.

These break out in song amidst their difficulties, knowing them to be the Teacher’s also. They do not despair despite the ambience of sin and ruins, since they believe absolutely in their Rescuer. It is not that they trust in a machine that saves then out of nowhere. For them, it is about the grain of wheat that, falling to the ground and dying, produces much fruit.

The faithful followers of Jesus take him for strength in weakness, wisdom in foolishness, glory in shame. Hence, they are not overwhelmed at finding themselves, notwithstanding their best efforts, in the same, if not worse, situation; they rely on their Justifier. They dwell not so much on their misery as in Jesus’ mercy (SV.FR V:165). And their Comforter equips them for the work of comforting those in tribulation.

Just like St. Vincent de Paul, authentic disciples cross mountains and go around to towns and villages, proclaiming the presence in mystery of God’s kingdom. And their lives corroborate the truthfulness of the Sermon on the Mount.

They do not undermine it; they do not live like someone who trusts in their abundant riches, flatters himself saying, “People praise me for all my success,” and for whom there are no pains. This individual will wail over his impending miseries.

Like Jesus and St. Vincent, too, true disciples make no claim whatsoever to excellence or eminence; they know God chooses the low-born. Because of their complete trust in Providence, they are ready to sacrifice everything—life, hands, feet, eyes—for the sake of the kingdom and the good especially of the little ones. True Christians do not only do not avoid eye contact with the marginalized. They also welcome them and work together with them.

And together they celebrate the Eucharist, summary and efficacious sign of the beatitudes.

In you, provident Lord, we take refuge.

Ross Reyes Dizon

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