A Dimension of Love – Vincentians Justice and Charity – Do We Listen? – Vincentians doing their Best

Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast

A Dimension of Love

There is a striking passage in the First Letter of John that gives us a beautiful understanding of love – and mercy is really a dimension of love: “in this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him.  In this, is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins.” (1 John 4: 9-10)   This comes from a  booklet on Mercy by Ralph Martin.  Our year of Mercy will soon come to an end.  The year began on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception December 8, 2015.  Both Pope Francis and St John Paul 22 used Ephesians (2:1-10) This Scripture passage was used to introduce their important writings on mercy.  The Jubilee year of Mercy will be over, but we should still have mercy in us and use everything we have learned to serve with love and mercy to those who are placed in our care.  Look for the face of Jesus in all we serve and in our Vincentian and Parish Families.  We have served well with love and mercy and we should continue to do so. Read Scripture often. It is a true gift to us.

Vincentians Justice and Charity

We must give authentic response to all whom Jesus has placed before us. Rejoice in the Lord always. Blessed are those who feel miserable and worn out.  As long as they do not stay in misery or feel this way all the time.  It is time to pray when we are overwhelmed.  Our souls are longing for the peace of Christ. And he calls us to be near to him as he is always near to us. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice.  They will be satisfied. Is justice there?  Mercy tops justice, but they cannot do one without the other.  Jesus lived every beatitude to show us the way. Justice should be with each of us.  We have to be conscious of each other and share this with our friends in need.  We do not have to preach but guide.  We need to often look for ways to show Social Justice.  Do not be afraid to look for others to help with a solution. We need to base our judgement with Christian Values.  We cannot look and say they are too far gone.  We need to see Jesus in them and bring Justice and Charity to solve their needs, and give them the service they need.

Do we Listen?

Listening is the root of justice. Try to always listen with your eyes and your heart.  Live the Sermon on the Mount each day.  Put your heart into listening.  Analyze what you see in your heart and place your heart in God’s hands.  The beatitudes are the key to God’s Kingdom.  We return from our visit and reflect in a quiet place.  Having a prayer corner in a quiet place brings God’s message to you.  Listen in your quiet space to the answer he is giving you.  Christ says: “Can you believe in me the way I believe in you? Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way. (Luke 6: 22)  We are all a blessed people because we are with the living God.  We do not have to prove anything to people, we are blessed.  We are set apart to serve and God is always with us.

Vincentians doing their Best

We have to rediscover our goodness. Not in an arrogant way.  We serve God and he is the hero when we save someone.  We are servants and all we need is God’s help.  We do the work so when our time comes he will say, “Well done faithful servant!” We will receive thanks, but the big deal is God’s Word.  We celebrated our 170^th year in Canada this week in our Diocese.  All Vincentians came together for Mass and then cake and fellowship.  It was like a big family party, seeing people you do not see on a regular basis.  Looking around and hearing the conversations of Vincentians made one feel truly blessed.  We all have different ideas, and this is why retreats and Vincentian gatherings truly help us to grow.  We accept being accepted and gathering together to renew and share.  This is how we do our best.  People may think we are crazy.  We are Vincentians and we do our best.  We are not alone and when we see only darkness God shows us the light.  Do not feel guilty when you cannot serve.  Guilt is the gift that keeps on giving.  Turn it over to our Master.  You will not fail.  We are Vincentians and we have the best boss ever.  We love our work and our gatherings.  Continue doing the best you can. We have been around for 170 years in Canada by doing our best.

Blessings, Lynn