Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"
Luke 16:31
There was a priest who, ordained in 1600, saw the priesthood as a career, a way to save money and retire early. He was moody and melancholy. About 18 years later, he had a onversion experience that led him to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus and also he became devoted to the poor. He became generous and humble. In two days the Church celebrates that priest's life: St Vincent de Paul.
He changed his outlook on life and ministered to the poor in such a way that the society of followers named for him, the St Vincent de Paul Society, is a recognizeable name all over the world. In the Gospel today, the rich man did not notice Lazarus right outside his door, begging for just simple scraps of food. My church takes in a collection of food for the poor. They have a list of what's most needed on their website, and they even give out a cloth grocery bag to make it easier to shop for the items and carry them back to church. Have I ever done it? I am sorry to say I have not. I do not have any excuse other than I did not put any thought to it. Yipes, that is a sorry excuse indeed.
Guess what I am going to do today? Fill that bag and bring it next week! I hope that I will experience a conversion of heart to take more notice of those around me in need. It starts with one simple gesture, and for me that is filling a bag.
