Today is April 5, the Optional Memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer, Priest.
At today’s Mass, we hear, “But, you, O Lord of hosts, O just Judge, searcher of mind and heart, let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!” (Jer 11:20).
Today, the Church celebrates the memory of St. Vincent Ferrer, a thirteenth-century priest of the Order of Preachers. St. Vincent is remembered as a fiery preacher who traveled throughout France, Spain and Italy preaching the second coming of Jesus Christ. He identified himself with the angel in the book of Revelation who cried out, “Fear God and give him glory, for his time has come to sit in judgment. Worship him who made heaven and earth and sea and springs of water” (Rev 14:7). Because of this, St. Vincent stylized himself as the angel of the apocalypse.
People often think about the final judgement with dread and fear, and so we should. The final day, when all is made manifest before God’s judgment seat, should move sinners to repentance and saints to greater holiness. But this is not the only reaction we should have to that day. For, on that final day, God will at last conquer his enemies and place sin and death under his feet.
Facing the final day of judgment
The final judgement is good news to the saints and terror to sinners. St. Vincent did not strike fear in the hearts of his listeners for the sake of fear itself. He announced the coming of an end to sin and death and the beginning of God’s eternal reign on earth. Like Jeremiah in today’s first reading, St. Vincent looks forward to the day when holiness will reign on earth and in our hearts.
We, too, should look with longing towards the final day of judgment. Then, the vices we fight and weaknesses we strive to overcome during Lent will be destroyed. Our penances and mortifications will bear fruit. The sacrifices we have made for the atonement of our sin and growth in holiness will be made manifest and judged worthy by Jesus Christ.
Let us pray,
O God, who raised up the Priest Saint Vincent Ferrer to minister by the preaching of the Gospel, grant, we pray, that, when the Judge comes, whom Saint Vincent proclaimed on earth, we may be among those blessed to behold him reigning in heaven. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
