SAINT Vincent de Paul
He was born in Aquitaine and became a priest. He devoted his whole life to the service of the poor. He founded a congregation of priests for missionary work and with St Louise de Marillac, the Sisters of Charity.
Entrance Antiphon: Lk 4: 18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me and sent me to preach the good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted.
Collect
O God, who for the relief of the poor and the formation of the clergy endowed the Priest Saint Vincent de Paul with apostolic virtues, grant, we pray, that, afire with that same spirit, we may love what he loved and put into practice what he taught. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Ezra 9:5-9
At the evening sacrifice I, Ezra, came out of my stupor and falling on my knees, with my garment and cloak torn, I stretched out my hands to the Lord my God, and said: “My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our crimes have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our sin has piled up to heaven. From the days of our ancestors until now our guilt has been great; on account of our crimes we, our kings and our priests, were given into the power of the kings of other countries, given to the sword, to captivity, to pillage and to shame, as is the case today. But now, suddenly, the Lord our God by his favour has left us a remnant and granted us a refuge in his holy place; this is how our God has cheered our eyes and given us a little respite in our slavery. For we are slaves; but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has shown us kindness in the eyes of the kings of Persia, obtaining permission for us to rebuild the Temple of our God and restore its ruins, and he has found us safety and shelter in Judah and in Jerusalem.”
Psalm Tobit 13:2,4,6-8
R/ Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
God punishes, he also has mercy, he leads men to the depths of the grave, he restores men from the great destruction. No man can escape his hand.
It is he who scattered us among the nations. Among them must we show forth our greatness and exalt him in the presence of all living; for he is our Lord and our God, our Father and our God for ever.
Now think what he has done for you, give thanks to him with all your voice. Give praise to the Lord for his justice and exalt the king of all ages.
In this land of exile I will thank him, and show forth his greatness and might to the race of sinful men.
Sinners, come back to him, do what is right before him. Who knows but he will receive you with pity?
Gospel Acclamation: Col 3: 17
Alleluia, alleluia! Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you; through him give thanks to God the Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 9:1-6
Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.” So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.
Prayer over the Offerings
O God, who enabled Saint Vincent to imitate what he celebrated in the divine mysteries, grant that by the power of this sacrifice we, too, may be transformed into an oblation acceptable to you. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 106: 8-9
Let them thank the Lord for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men, for he satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry he fills with good things.
Prayer after Communion
Renewed by this heavenly Sacrament, O Lord, we implore, that just as we are prompted by Saint Vincent’s example to imitate your Son in his preaching of the Gospel to the poor, so, too, we may be sustained by his prayers. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
Luke places the 12 apostles at the forefront of this passage. They are presented as those who participate fully and share in the Mission of Christ. They are no longer simple followers, but are given the task of doing what Jesus does; exercising authority over unclean spirits, curing diseases and proclaiming the kingdom of God. Proclaiming the kingdom of God and healing occupied a great place in their mission. Our focus as followers of Christ should be centred on the proclamation of the Good News, rather than on the distractions of our days. What are the things that obstruct me from being focused on the spreading of the Good News?