Zeal is another virtue that characterizes the spirituality of the missionary and therefore, should permeate the life and the ministry of the members of the Congregation. This virtue was experienced by Vincent de Paul as a burning fire that impelled him to give of himself and to walk the extra mile. Vincent often spoke about this virtue, especially when he explained to his confreres the challenges that they would encounter as they responded to new apostolic demands. Today, the members of the Congregation can embody this virtue in every dimension of their life: their thoughts and desires, their activity and their common life … this virtue of zeal is not only related to the apostolate but also to one’s willingness to engage in service.
- What are we dealing with?
Basically, zeal is an expression of love … it is a concrete expression of the twofold commandment of love (cf. Matthew 12:28-31). Thus, this virtue involves two movements: a movement toward God and a movement toward the neighbor. Vincent used various expressions when he spoke about zeal: zeal consists of a pure desire to become pleasing to God and helpful to our neighbor;if love is a fire, zeal is its flame (CCD:XII:250); if love is a sun, zeal is its ray (CCD:XII:250). When people are zealous, they become apostles who are able to overcome all barriers and obstacles and they engage in the process of evangelization, especially in the area of the apostolate and service on behalf of those who are poor. In other words, zeal enables people to act in the same manner as the Son of God … to act with the power of the Spirit who dwells with them. Those persons who are filled with the love of God can do anything and everything.
In Sacred Scripture, there are many references to God’s love for humankind: a love that rebels against every form of idolatry. God is a holy God who rejects the existence of any other god. Zeal is manifested as the tenderness and mercy of God who remains faithful to his covenant of love with humankind. In fact, God’s zeal is present in those who are pious: zeal for your house consumes me (Psalm 69:10). That zeal is the same zeal that Jesus had for his Father, for the house of the Father, for the Kingdom. That zeal was manifested by Saint Paul when he confronted the people of Israel with the New Covenant and prayed for their adherence to the gospel of Christ. In other words, we are dealing with a zeal for the glory of God and for the fulfillment of God’s saving plan in history. We continually express that desire when we pray the Our Father … hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, forgive us our trespasses, do not lead us into temptation. Thus, Christian prayer animates and sustains us in our commitment to make the Lord known to others and to serve the Lord in liturgical celebrations and in the activities of our daily life.
- Specific ways of expressing zeal
In our relationship with God: this involves the whole person and a handing over of ourselves to God … it is a response to Jesus’ laying down his life for all men and women.
In our relationship with the neighbor: this involves various human and spiritual attitudes:
- The acceptance of trials of persecution (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:9-13);
- Constant, disinterested service on behalf of the word (cf. Romans 15:16; Colossians 1:23);
- Courage to freely proclaim the Good News (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 3:12);
- The search for unity grounded on love and expressed in a maternal manner (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:2).
3. The sources and the model of zeal
The primary source of zeal is God: zeal flows from the love that God has for humankinds, a love that people attempt to respond to by giving glory to God, by seeking to act in accord with God’s will, by collaborating in the building up of the Kingdom of God. Such a perspective led Vincent de Paul to embrace the words of Jesus who stated: seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
The model of zeal is Jesus: Vincent contemplated Jesus as the evangelizer of the poor, worshipper of the Father, servant of God loving plan. This Jesus of the gospels is the evangelizer who affirmed that he was sent forth by the Father to evangelize; this Jesus of the gospels was compassionate and animated the church to make the gospel effective. The Christ of Vincent de Paul is in relationship with God the Father, is compassionate toward all men and women (his food is to do the will of the Father).
Saint Vincent is also a model of zeal: Vincent knew how to express his passion for the salvation of souls, a passion that impelled him forward during all the days of his life, a passion that led him to move out in new directions (missions ad gentes) … if we are not willing to risk our lives for the love of God and the good of our neighbor … then we are still a long way from holiness (CCD:XII:36).
- Obstacles and realities that are opposed to zeal
Today, like yesterday, zeal for the salvation of men and women has powerful enemies that attempt to prevent people from living this virtue. Among those enemies we list the following:
- Insensitivity: this reality prevents people from being moved and touched by the spiritual and corporal needs and necessities of the neighbor … insensitive individuals remain untouched and indifferent to every call and need.
- Hardness of heart: this disposition creates bitterness and prevents people from evangelizing with an attitude of mercy (a drop of honey is all that is needed to conquer those individuals who are harsh).
- Comfort: such individuals adopt a lifestyle that is not in accord with the spirit of the gospel or the vows and as a result are unwilling to sacrifice themselves on behalf of those who are poor.
- Individualism: such individuals seek their own fulfillment and the satisfaction of their needs and are not attentive to the needs of others.
- Pride and presumption: such individual do not focus their life on God and other people
- Spiritual apathy and dryness: such individuals are prevented from moving forward with boldness in their journey toward God … a sound spiritual life is necessary in order to prevent our ministry from become mere activism.
- Laziness: when writing to a confrere, Vincent spoke of laziness as the vice of ecclesiastics and a reality that God despises.
- Idleness: is the enemy of all the virtues and Vincent de Paul spoke frequently about the need to engage in combat with this enemy, idleness
- Indiscrete zeal: this reality could be defined as the presumption to be able to change other persons rapidly and is the result of a lack of understanding and reflection. Such individuals do not respect the rhythms of life, of growth, of conversion … they are lacking in prudence and patience. Such individuals want to do everything and yet are unable to fulfill any of the initiatives that they began.
- The possibility and the need to live this virtue today
If we hope to engage in the process of the new evangelization with a renewed ardor and if we wish to give witness to the truth of the gospel, then we must cultivate this virtue of zeal. St. Vincent has reminded us about the need to be vigilant with regard to those temptations that can make us less zealous … temptations that can lead to indifference. We must know how to unite contemplation and action (how to be Carthusians at home and missionaries outside the house) and how to unite affective and effective love. Vincent has told us: we should all be so disposed and have this desire to suffer for God and for our neighbor and to wear ourselves out for that purpose (CCD:XI:357)
Today, being zealous means wearing ourselves out through the exercise of faithful love; it means clothing ourselves in those attitudes which enable us to constantly reach out in love to our sisters and brothers; it means committing ourselves to the search for new workers in the Lord’s vineyard and new workers to engage in service on behalf of those who are poor. In other words, it will always be necessary to cultivate this virtue and all the virtues and to practice them with tenderness and humility.
Translated:
Charles T. Plock, CM
Eastern Province, USA
