Cross Over by Father James Maher

Father James Maher

By his own admission, early in his life St. Vincent de Paul was an ecclesiastical climber. He was well on his way toward climbing up the institutional ladder in the Roman Catholic Church. One day, while hearing the confession of a person who was poor, St. Vincent was overtaken by his authentic priestly vocation, to serve Jesus Christ in the poor. He “crossed over” to the world of the poor. Today his legacy is rooted in his service to the poor and the church but the core of his life and sanctity was his willingness to answer God’s call to “cross over” to world of the poor and suffering.

The same God who called St. Vincent to “cross over” to the world of the poor calls to us today. Ask for the gift of faith to “cross over” to the poor, the suffering, and those who live in material, social and spiritual isolation. When we have the courage to “cross over” into these uncomfortable worlds and to be changed, we will resonate with the life of St. Vincent and the abundance of life in Christ Jesus.