Offer Your Service – Live in the Present – Gift of Fortitude – Constant Companions

Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast

Offer Your Service

What’s the thing you do to create and bring beauty to the world around you? Whatever it is, you can use it to change the world. Think, ask, and offer. That’s all it takes. Think about who might benefit from it, ask around, and then offer it. I bet you’ll be surprised by how much demand there is for what you can do! -–from Colleen Mitchell.  “The most excellent works are not those that have the most pomp, extent or renown, but rather those where you can most easily get at souls, and do them good.” – St. Vincent de Paul – Sometimes the work I do seems endless and without noticeable results. At those times, Lord, give me the grace to be satisfied that the good, accomplished will only be realized over time. We have to be patient and listen to God’s plan for us.  We must always be present to serve. I was thinking about the book I am hoping to release called, “Stories of the Heart.  We all have a story and other Vincentians need tend to reflect on the stories. Please ensure you use fictitious names and put on the bottom your Conference Name.  Your name can be withheld.  The book is a low price and all proceeds will go to the National Disaster fund.  Please pray how you can offer your story.  We all have a story that touches our hearts.  Please pray and send me a story. You will have to sign a contract which I will send to you.

Live in the Present

We have to learn to live in the present moment. We have to ask God: What are you calling me to do now, in this present moment? Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but right now. God’s will is manifested to us in the duties and experiences of the present moment. We have only to accept them and try to be like Jesus in them.-–from Mother Angelica: Her Grand Silence   You have made some mistakes, and you may not be where you want to be, but that has nothing to do with your future. Each day is a new day and you are needed here and now. Don’t worry about what is ahead.  Your wonderful self is serving our Lord today and each day.  Not somewhere in the future.  Do it now in the presence as that is where God is calling you.  We are called to be Servants and as servants we visit those in need, our neighbors and friends who have fallen into poverty.  We visit with them and try to learn much from them.  Our first gift is generally food. Visit with them and hear their story.  No one wants to be in poverty.  It happens, so we need to listen to them now.  Start to hear who they are and what they are doing here.  Listen with both ears and a smile.

Gift of Fortitude

The gift of fortitude makes us persevere in holiness. It gives us the strength to forge ahead in the face of opposition and weakness. It gives us supernatural endurance, a spiritual daring. –from Mother Angelica: Her Grand Silence.  We can learn much from Mother Angelica.  She was a wonderful woman and we continue to learn from her one liner quotes and stories of loving one another and always asking for God’s help.  God gives us the gift of fortitude.  We do not usually recognize it.  It sometimes takes a while for us to get it. Pray for the gift of fortitude often and seek his advice on our service to our friends.  It does not come quickly, but we all get to see an amazing breakthrough thanks to God and our new found fortitude.  We are Vincentians who are called to be servants, so we must be the best we can be and search for answers.  Everyone is love in God’s eyes and we always need to see Jesus in others and especially the poor, the imprisoned, those suffering from addictions and all who come to us.  Can you imagine how much fortitude and strength it takes from many of our friends to expose their stories and pain? We do it because Jesus says feed my sheep, look after my lambs and we do.

Constant Companions

We can become saints not because of what we are but because of what he is, and what he can make of us. Love is the one thing necessary. You must love God with your whole mind, your whole heart, with all your strength. Let him become part of your work and play . . . let him be your constant companion throughout the day, speaking to him as you would a friend. –from Mother Angelica: Her Grand Silence.  Do you ever think you are a constant companion of Jesus? He is with us we are servants and are called to be his servants.  We are servants of the poor and all in need.  We are a witness for Jesus. He calls us to lay down our lives for others and we say yes.  This is not physical Martyrdom. These words and calling of Jesus is an invitation to come and serve. We are called to be servant and a witness for Christ.  We are invited to be his servant to serve and love the poor.  Jesus calls us to tend his sheep and love his lambs.  We witness for Christ by using our own eyes and our ears.  This is why the home visit is essential. We are to be witnesses.  We are working for God and ourselves to know, love and see Jesus in our Vincentian Family, our Parish families, and those we serve.

Blessings, Lynn