God has given so much to me and I am profoundly happy for all of the blessings of my life. I have never suffered from poverty, violence, abuse or addiction. There have been sad times and times of loss, but relative to my overall days here on earth, these have been few. Even in the depths of the darkest days, I have always known that my God is with me.

Many of the tears I have shed have been for the sufferings of others. Vincentians see much and hear many things as we strive to serve Christ in His poor. My Vincentian vocation has shown me that not everyone’s life is blessed with comfort and security, just as it has confirmed in me that I must do more.

The story of Peter’s mother-in-law struck a chord for me. She is a not-so- young woman suffering from a serious illness and the instrument through which Jesus performs a miracle. The patriarchal society didn’t think of her important enough to mention her other than as ‘Peter’s mother-in-law’ so we do not know her name and she has no identity except through the man who married her daughter. In this way she is not unlike many of the people we Vincentians try to serve. Poverty and addiction, racial and ethnic status can create this kind of non-identity in our country and our world.

Jesus chose this un-named woman of little status. He reached out to her and healed her, just as we Vincentians must reach out and offer what healing we can to those who need us, especially those who society might look down upon.

The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law has an interesting conclusion. After Jesus heals her we are told, “She immediately began to wait on them.” Jesus gives her back her life, a great gift, and she responds by serving everyone she can.

Jesus has given me such a bountiful life. How can I not follow this woman’s example and serve everyone who needs me?

Denise