Working Hard to Accomplish the Good
Let us work. Let us never get tired. Let us work. Let us do good to all people, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (OCL, I, 6, p.11)
St. Vincent was a hard working person. The goal of all his work was to accomplish every possible good in the lives of the people. His historical situation presented ample opportunities to do good. Living in a time of wars, revolutions, and conspiracies, he experienced the manifold evils that existed in the lives of the individual human persons and in the society at large. He often felt compassion for the people who were suffering from the evils of the socio-political set up of the time. Seeing the troubles, pains, and hardships of the people living around him, he was unable to be a passive spectator. He realized that there was much work to be done. But there were very few people who showed interest in taking up the responsibility of caring for the needy. Hence, St. Vincent felt that he needed to work hard. He often told his collaborators to work hard and never get tired. He also advised them that as they work, they were not to forget the real purpose of their work, that is, to do good to all people. While encouraging his followers to work hard for the wellbeing of every human person who was suffering from any form of infirmity, whether it was material or spiritual, he requested them to show special concern for the suffering people who belonged to the household of faith. In other words, St. Vincent wanted his followers to be more concerned about their fellow Christians who were suffering and to respond to their needs. In and through the hard work of the members of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, St. Vincent was able to accomplish a lot of good in the lives of the people of his time.
Do I recognize the suffering that exists in the lives of the people I encounter? Am I sensitive and compassionate to their needs? Do I work hard in my own little way to do good to these people? What is the real purpose of my work? While concerned about every person’s suffering, do I specially care for my fellow Christians?
Anything you can turn your hand to, do with what power you have. (Eccles. 9: 10)