A Parable (retold by Vincentian Youth) of the Organized Young Men

A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of bandits; they stripped him, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. 

A group of organized young men on an excursion passed the same way and came upon him.  The young men decided to help him:  they returned to their homes and formed four committees (five members in each). …. They prepared beautiful posters that said “Let us help the poor!” and organized a forum to present the case to all the inhabitants of the town. 

Someone suggested applying for a subsidy from the European Union but a reasonable person noted that that would take much time. 

So they decided not to go ahead with the subsidy request and started to solicit medicines and bandages from all the pharmacies in the city. 

Finally everything was ready:  10 kilos of medicines and a beautiful van with loudspeakers, a “model project”.  The young men, together with the journalists, went in search of the man in need of help. 

When they reached the place it was too late: the man was dead. 

This is taken from a fascinating series of catechesis prepared by the International Office of Vincentian Youth.

There are currently 5 such innovative catechesis in this series entitled “Opening the door of the third millennium” on this site.

Catechesis 1: Rue du Bac: a message of love

Catechesis 2: The Vincentian City of the Future

Catechesis 3: A look and a response to poverty today

Catechesis 4: Young prophets for today

Catechesis 5: How to serve the poor today in the Vincentian charism