It is 27th September 2016. We celebrate the memorial of St Vincent de Paul, the Priest. He attracted many diocesan priests to join him for the salvation of the poor. Through his retreats to the priests and lay people, he encouraged many to be charitable to the poor practically. He founded the Congregation of the Mission (“Vincentians”) and the Ladies of Charity, later known as the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. He is not only known for his prayer, meditation and ascetical way of life, and also known for practical and boundless charity. He said, “Be vigilant to avoid jealousy, which seeks to destroy fraternal charity.” He is the patron of all societies devoted to works of charity. The readings are from Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23; and the Gospel from Luke 9:51-56. The first reading presents us with the life of Job that how far a person could go when faced with physical affliction. Joe cursed the very day of his birth yet not ready to curse God. He believed that better not to be born at all than to utter curse against God. He was struggling physically, emotionally and spiritually, and not ready to forsake God. He just wanted to know why the innocent suffer. We too are so vulnerable during the time of sufferings and pain. Humanly, even if there is no way of getting out of the pain, we still need to hold on to God from whom alone all help and relief comes from. The loving and helping hand of God never leaves us even amidst pain and suffering. The responsorial Psalm invokes God, “Let my prayer come into your presence, O Lord.” (Ps.87:3). The Gospel portrays Jesus on a long journey to Jerusalem, a place of suffering and his final glory. Even though he knew the moments of pain and suffering He needed to face in Jerusalem, He carried on in His journey. The rejections, the unwillingness to receive Him from the part of Samaritans did not stop Jesus. Let us keep on walking with Jesus until we meet the merciful Father in Heaven. Let us learn to be tolerant, and enthusiastic in our spiritual journey to Heaven. May the Lord bless us all to reach God’s dwelling place. Have a good day.