Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest
First reading Zechariah 2:5-9,14-15
The prophet Zechariah proclaims God’s promise: “Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion; for I am coming to dwell in the middle of you.” This promise finds its deepest fulfillment in the mystery of the Eucharist, where Christ Himself chooses to dwell in our midst—not as an abstract idea, but as a real presence, body and blood, soul and divinity. In every celebration of the Eucharist, heaven touches earth and God fulfills His promise of closeness. Yet this presence also extends beyond the altar: Christ dwells among us in the poor, the forgotten, and the marginalized. Saint Vincent de Paul, whose life was completely dedicated to the service of the poor, reminds us that devotion to the Eucharist must flow into love for those in whom Christ chooses to dwell. To recognize Him in the consecrated Host while ignoring Him in the hungry or abandoned is to miss the fullness of His presence. Today we are invited to rejoice in the God who dwells with us, and to allow our Eucharistic communion to become concrete in acts of charity, compassion, and justice for our brothers and sisters. Let’s reflect: Do I truly rejoice in Christ’s presence among us—both in the Eucharist and in the poor—and allow my communion with Him at the altar to overflow into acts of love and service toward those most in need?
Don Giorgio