Day 4: The Way

“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.”

These words from St. Vincent de Paul, spoken around 400 years ago, are especially relevant these days. St. Vincent, in the footsteps of Jesus, had his heart open to see those on the margins of society.

With his open heart, he did more than pray, he acted and with St. Louise de Marillac, and many others, they built new systems to care for those who had their rights and dignity taken from them.

The way of Jesus, contrary to some political and religious leaders, was never about prioritizing one group over another. The way of Jesus, instead, favored those in need, those who were surviving despite broken systems, stigma, and trauma. This is what St. Vincent did, and that same Spirit that called him, calls us to do the same.

This Lent, if we are to truly walk in the footsteps of St. Vincent and Jesus, we could benefit from a softened heart that isn’t focusing on who is first and who has power. Instead, we must look to those who society says are last and those who have been stripped of their power and freedom.

This would be a Lenten journey that best reflects the way of love, of Jesus the Christ.