Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands! (Ps 90:14,17)
St. Vincent de Paul began his ministry with very little as a goal except, perhaps, to live a comfortable life. That would all change when the deathbed confession of a servant made Vincent realize the desperate spiritual needs of the people around him. Vincent began to look past his own wants and needs to how he could help others.
The rest, as they say, is history. Vincent de Paul gave his life to the service of the poor and needy and founded charitable orders to help care for the poor. He did his “job” so well that Pope Leo XIII made him the patron of all charitable societies.
When we turn to the Lord, as the psalm reminds us today, and ask God to prosper the work of our hands, God will come through — as long as the target of the work of our hands is the welfare of those around us.
God has a particular love for the poor and the needy and He does everything that He can to bless them. God is especially pleased when others take up the challenge to care for the poor because God can work through them in supplying their needs.
God is waiting to work through us.
Will you reach out to His people today?
FAITH ACTION: Pray for the poor and the needy. If you are in a position to do so today, help to provide for the poor and the needy as well.