Today, September 27
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Vincent is the founder of the Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians) and co-founder of the Daughters of Charity. Born in France in 1580, the son of a peasant farmer, Vincent attended university and was ordained at 20. His first inclination was to earn a good income, but, appointed to the Queen's household, he came under the influence of Bérulle (later Cardinal), and became a changed man. Vincent devoted the rest of his life to acts of charity. He organized groups to provide food and clothing for all who were poor: orphans, prostitutes, the sick, the disabled, the homeless. He established a congregation to preach and to train clergy. He collected large sums of money for his many projects and his influence spread from France across Europe. He died in 1660, was canonized in 1737 and is a patron saint of charitable societies.
©2011 Living with Christ, Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/. Reprinted with permission.
Readings of the Day
Book of Ezekiel 18,25-28.
You say, "The LORD'S way is not fair!" Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When a virtuous man turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if a wicked man, turning from the wickedness he has committed, does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life; since he has turned away from all the sins which he committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
Psalms 25(24),4-5ab.6-7.8-9.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. Remember that your compassion, O LORD, and your love are from of old. Remember no more the sins of my youth; remember me only in light of your love. Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.
Letter to the Philippians 2,1-11.
Brothers and sisters: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 21,28-32.
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: "What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not,' but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."
Daily Reflection
[Saint Hildegard presents a vision in which vice and virtue respond to one another:] – Disobedience: "Why respect the precepts of others? In doing so, we fail to recognize who we are. We are credible philosophers, and we know more than others. How could we fail to act upon what we know? I know that what I decide within myself is right, useful, and beneficial... what I see, what I touch, and what I understand in my mind—that is what I must do." – Obedience: "I, who obey, am united with Him: when God made all things through His Word—when He said "Fiat"—I was the eye of creation, and at God’s command, I kept watch. Thus, all things were created. But when the first angel began to exist, he quickly set himself against God; I declared that his works would not endure, since he sought to be different. He even tried to attack and bite me, yet he did not prevail. I lie at the foundation of all divine works, just as the soul does for the body. Just as a man’s will accomplishes his desires, I am the will of God, bringing to completion all that God undertakes... I touch, will, or desire nothing that is not in God... As for you, you resemble dead leaves; you shall be swept away just as they are..."