Monday of the First Week of Advent
I recently began working with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and part of this holy work includes answering calls on the HelpLine. I answer the phone and on the other end of the line is my neighbor, a person living in King County, asking for real help. It could be anything from needing a few hundred dollars to make rent, to needing a crib for their newborn daughter just come home from the hospital, to needing someone to listen as they piece together all their needs for food and clothing and anything we might provide. When possible, I refer my neighbor to the local St. Vincent de Paul Conference, who will contact them to visit their home and assess how to respond.
In today’s Gospel we read, Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof ... . The Home Visit is the core ministry of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It is a person-to-person encounter that literally happens under the “roof” of our suffering neighbor. It requires the visiting Vincentians to set down their judgments and biases, cross the threshold into the life and living room of another, and to embrace humility, compassion and mercy. Like the Centurion approaching Jesus in today’s reading, this encounter demands an attitude of unlimited trust in Jesus, allowing ourselves to be surprised at his response - so much so, that we may feel unworthy of it.
We recite the words I am not worthy each time we prepare to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist, an invitation to remove our perceived entitlement to the host and to approach in humble awe. As we humble ourselves this Advent in preparation for the miracle of the incarnation, God-with-us here on earth, we are called to stay grounded in faith, trusting and believing in the words of Jesus.
Discomfort me, O God, that I might grow in humility to better love you by loving my neighbor.
Kelly Hickman currently serves as the Special Projects Coordinator for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County.
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