Help becomes honorable, because it may become mutual.

Help is humiliating when it appeals to men from below, taking heed only of their material wants. It humiliates when there is no reciprocity. When you give the poor man nothing but bread or clothes, there is no likelihood of his ever giving you in return.

But help honors when it appeals to him from above. It respects him when it deals with his soul, with his religious, moral and political education, and with all that emancipates him from his passions. Help honors when, to the bread that nourishes, it adds the visit that consoles, advice that enlightens, the friendly handshake that lifts up flagging courage. It esteems the poor man when it treats him with respect, not only as an equal but a superior, since he is capable of suffering what we perhaps are incapable of suffering. After all, he is the messenger of God to us, sent to prove our justice and our charity and to save us by our works.

Help then becomes honorable, because it may become mutual. Every man who gives a kind word, good advice, a consolation today, may tomorrow need a kind word, advice or consolation The hand that you clasp, clasps yours in return That indigent family whom you love, loves you in return and will have largely acquitted them­selves toward you when they shall have prayed for you.

Frederic Ozanam, 1848, "De l'Aumône" (On Almsgiving)

published in the newspaper L’Ère Nouvelle.

Quoted in Voices of the Saints by Bert Ghezzi

This is the heart of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It can't be better expressed how we are benefitted by our neighbors while they are being helped by us. Truly, this is something of the Lord. It is also the heart of our founder, Frederic Ozanam. The more I read about him, the more I admire him.

"So often love means just showing up."

Recently I went to the annual meeting of parish office staff and volunteer group leaders since I'm the president of the St. Vincent de Paul conference at our parish. As I was at the mike, giving a brief summary of what we do, I said, "We don't go on a Home Visit to tell them about Jesus." I thought for a second and then said, "But of course we do go to tell them about Jesus, we just don't always say it."

Awkward, right? But accurate.

Listening the next morning to Father Mike Schmitz talk about what he learned from his parents, he put it the exact right way. "So often love means just showing up."

That's what everyone one of us in the society does. We show up — on the hotline, in the pantry, and at their homes. I see time and again how that makes a difference in our neighbors' lives.

I'm honored to be part of that expression of love as we "just show up."

Kerrville Flood Relief Through the St. Vincent de Paul Society

I am a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I planned on beginning to share with readers how it has thrown me out of my comfort zone in a way that has deepened my faith. 

However, this morning I received an email from the Dallas Council about how we can help our neighbors who have suffered so much from the flash flooding.

This comes first.

The Kerrville Conference is in the thick of it, helping with clothing, food, and more. You can donate here.

The council's statement is moving and inspiring. I include it below:

We stand in awe of the power of nature. We stand in horror of the devastation wrought by the flash floods in Central Texas on July 4.

We cannot stand on the sidelines and do nothing.

We do not have the skills and tools to make a real difference in the recovery effort. We can still make a difference.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Notre Dame Parish in Kerrville is taking the lead in helping residents and visitors with food, clothing and other necessities.

You can join in helping them serve their neighbors in need by making a contribution to the Notre Dame Conference by clicking here.

...

And just as importantly, we pray with those affected by the flash flooding. We pray for the safety of those who survived, we pray for those who perished, and we hold the grieving families in our hearts that God’s loving heart will fill them with consolation at this time of unimaginable loss.