And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
“Do not become upset or feel guilty because you interrupted your prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected if you leave him for such service. One of God’s works is merely interrupted so that another can be carried out. So when you leave prayer to serve some poor person, remember that this very service is performed for God. Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover all rules must lead to charity.”
Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) in The Liturgy of the Hours, vol. 4 (New York: CBPC, 1975) 1425.
Imagine if you were experiencing a time of need and a person stepped away from prayer or attending church to minister to you. What a generous act of charity that would be!
Here Vincent de Paul reminds Christ followers that serving those in need is just as important as prayer to God. When we do this we are conduits of God’s divine love, that is, charity.
Rules often guide our lives more than Scripture. For example, going to church on Sunday is a rule for many. More important than that for Jesus is that we act like the church every day!
As this week wraps up, Jenni heads to California to spend the weekend with her family celebrating the life of her Grandma Pearl. Meanwhile, I fly to Seattle for Pioneers Hong Kong board meetings.
Regardless of the ministry we are doing or the family time we are enjoying, it is most important that we don’t forget the greater reason we are live each day: to be conduits of charity!