Is death better or life - Celebrating Vincent de Paul
27th September, 2016
Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Lk 9: 51-56
Job complains against the unfairness of life and prefers he were dead than living. How many times we contemplate such thoughts, unmindful of all the blessings that preceded such experiences and all the blessings that are yet in store. We always want to be kings of good times and queens of cosy times! There are moments that bring out the preciousness of life, by allowing such experiences which highlight the goodness that surrounds us always.
When Jesus sets his eyes towards Jerusalem, the Samaritans detest it. They forget the goodness that Jesus had shown them thus far, respecting that woman at the well, narrating that parable that extols the samaritan and recognising that one grateful soul among the rest of the ingrates. Can we have everyone please us all the time? Is that the fairness of life that we mean?
If we were to ask Vincent de Paul today's question, 'is death better or life'... he would say - neither! It is living according to the will of the Lord, showing to everyone around that compassion that the Lord is - that is what life is all about! Vincent de Paul was not the best of persons in the beginnings of his life journey, but soon he realised the true call that he had received and today we have a saint in him, a saint of mercy and compassion, a saint of mercy in complete action.