ONLY YOUR LOVE

St Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) was a French priest who served the poor and later formed missionary societies to better serve. He worked primarily among small towns and villages giving aid to poor farmers and other rural people. Today there are St Vincent de Paul Societies in one hundred thirty two countries. He wrote:

You will find that charity
Is a heavy burden
To carry, heavier than
The kettle of soup and
The basket of bread
But you must your gentleness
And your smile keep
Giving soup and bread isn’t all
That the rich can do
The poor are the masters
Terribly sensitive: exacting
As you will see
But the uglier and dirtier they are
The more unjust and bitter
The more you must give them your love.
It is because of your love…
Only your love
That the poor will forgive you
The bread you give them.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” Jesus