Made for Life – We are all Called – Doing What we Can – We are Family

Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast – Tuesday June 30, 2015

Dear Vincentian Family: Tomorrow is Canada Day and July 4^th is Independence Day. Let us celebrate with joy. Living God, fill us with gratitude for the gift of life itself. Help us avoid clinging to the gifts you so freely give. Make us generous, so that the way we live will offer more life to others. Help us desire the gifts of eternal life here and now, as well as in the world to come. Amen.

Made for Life – We were made for life, for sharing life, for eternal life. It is such a consolation to read in Scripture, we not made for death, God grieves, rather than delights in, the death of creation. We are made for living, for existing, for growth here and into eternity. Life is not for its own sake, as Paul reminds the Corinthians, but for sharing with all of God’s creation. We are made for life, and our life is deeper and richer when none are deprived by our living. (In fact, we lose our own lives when we deprive life to others.) As Vincentians we try to make life better for others. We see Christ and follow Him in our service to help lift others from poverty. Jesus always offers us a way through things to transform our dying into life. Embrace your pain or suffering and offer it to Jesus as a sacrifice. He wants to heal us. In Mark’s Gospel from Sunday Jesus said, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the little girl got up and began to walk about. (Mk.4:41-42) We need not be afraid, we are never alone. We were made for life, for sharing life, for eternal life. We are made for living, for existing, for growth here and into eternity. And that life is not for its own sake, as Paul reminds the Corinthians, but for sharing with all of God’s creation. We are made for life, and our life is deeper and richer when none are deprived by our living. (In fact, we lose our own lives when we deprive life to others.) Where are we clinging to death? Reflect on this and ask Our Lord for help.

We are all Called – Calling all Vincentians, young and old to bear witness to peace, life and abundant mercy instead of hate and anger. When receiving the Precious Body and Blood, of Christ ask Him to nourish us by His life and death. May we live as His Body on earth as we serve everyone in need without judgment and participate in feeding the hungry of our world. In doing this we bear witness to the Christ`s and give hope to all people. We become a great example for others, especially the youth and we share Christ`s healing presence to others and provide spiritual companionship to someone in need. Your smile is the first sign and a little prayer and to reach out and touch gently is to give hope—not the false hope of a recovery where none may be possible, but the hope of a tangible presence of God in our lives. Blessed are those Vincentians, who are creative and passionate, they will discover new ways to evangelize the youth of today. Remember they are our future.

Doing What we Can – Focus on what you can do. Make it the best. Discovering yourself is paramount to your service to others. Share your gifts freely and praise God. As we go through we should focus on the donut, not the hole. Focus on what we can do and do it well. Do not waste time worrying about what you cannot do. Someone else can do it. Each of us gets gifts; focus on what your gifts are. You will never succeed if you ignore your gifts and trying to work with the gifts of others. Your gifts and talents are God – given and tailored for you. They come with the blessings and support of God. When you talk it over with the Lord there is nothing you cannot do. Share these gifts for the common good. As Vincentians this is who we are called to be, generous with what we have, serving with peace, love and joy. When you share this with those in need, you will receive more for the next time. God is generous and He works with us.

We are Family – When you have a family you are responsible for them. We need to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. Be a generous giver and the best gift of course is love, affirmation, understanding and the big one is forgiveness. To succeed in our work we must know this at all levels of our service. When we disagree with or hurt someone, we must as their forgiveness and if they hurt us, we forgive them and always pray. You will be better for it and so will the Vincentian Family. This is truly how we grow. We must grow in holiness being patient and serving in our holiness. It is more than bringing the food or the rent. We are a Catholic Lay organization who serves Christ in the poor and it makes us different from other social service groups. We are servants of those in need. We are not perfect, but we are doing God’s work the best we can.

Blessings, Lynn