Where did our Faith come from? – Vincentians Learn from Scripture – Vincentians are Loving Servants – Vincentians Show Others the Way

Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast

Where did our Faith come from?

I am sure you will have many different answers to this question.  This is a great reflection for us.  I came from a home of no religion except from my granny who lived with us.  She would tell me stories and use angels instead of Jesus God and Mary.  I loved her teaches.  To me it is interesting my mother was against the church.  Some of you reading this know things are no longer that way.  My stepfather died and we arranged many of the funeral directions. When the Ashes came, I told her my kids would like to be in Church praying for their grandpa.  My mom said yes and she also came to the service.  The next day was a wonderful Miracle to me.  I was home alone and the phone rang and she said, “What time are you picking me up for Church.  I near fainted.  As I said I was alone and I had no one to speak to and I gave her the time and we picked her up.  She now never misses a Sunday and says prayers for a list of people and reads Scripture.  When I saw my Parish Priest I told him I could die tomorrow as I have already had my biggest miracle.  She is now praying for all her family and is a changed woman on her way to Sainthood.

Vincentian Learn from Scripture

“Oh! How beautiful and consoling. It is not easy, but if we wish to follow Christ closely, we cannot choose an easy, quiet life. It will be a demanding life, but full of joy.” –Pope Francis. Sometimes we need these quotes to keep us faithful.  We don’t know everything and it is time to listen to those around us.  Sometimes we see things we know are good and we dismiss them.  We truly do learn from each other and of course the saints.  We are called to be Saints and so we remember the Saints are the sinners who keep on trying and they are rewarded by God for the good they do.  In the Gospel of John 1: 19 – 28 John the Baptist shows himself as “the voice of one crying out in the desert. It seems the great heroes of the Biblical relation have to spend time in the desert.- Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Paul and even Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the desert before starting his ministry.

Vincentians are Loving Servants

They know there is so much to learn. Knowing our Lord helps and of course talking to him.  He is always present in our work.  This makes the job so much easier.  Vincentians treat those in need with respect and love.  This is sometimes a hard lesson to learn.  When you are truly helping someone and lifting them from poverty you do not call them lazy bums or they are slacking off.  I also try to see Jesus in all who need support and love.  He called us to feed His Lambs and tend to his sheep.  We should thank Him each day for blessing us with such wonderful people.  We are proud to be His servant.  He taught us and now we teach others who are new to the Society.  We must be loving servants.  It is what we are called to do.  We are the servant of our Lord and we always know we are doing His work.

Vincentians Show Others the Way

We come together and attend trainings and Conferences.  We learn about Collaboration and Social Justice.  We then pass it on to our Vincentian Family at home.  We learn by going to Famvin on the internet and to the Canadian National Training information.  We learn from these sessions and we are better for it.  We can network in new ways and learn much.  We truly become a family when we learn together.  We have a youth group in our Conference and they do amazing things and sometimes we work together. The Youth today will be us tomorrow.  They have the love and compassion for all in need.  They gather together at camps and go to world youth day events.  They are showing the way to others. We started out with a handful and now they are all over the city.  They are also giving workshops to other youth.  This is one of the best things.  They are a very spiritual group. One young man asked me to teach him how to pray.  I told him it was like talking to God.  Then I gave him a prayer to reflect on. This is the simple prayer I gave to him.  “Lord, help me to make time today to serve you in those who are most in need of encouragement or assistance.”  Vincentians are humble and need to know how to live in humility.  This is a prayer from Famvin which I like to say: “Mary, you are always ready to obtain the graces I need, if I but ask for them. Keep me faithful to my commitments and teach me how to live a humble, simple life.  I pray you are showing others the way and assigning Mentors to new Vincentians.

Blessings,

Lynn