Called to Serve – Vincentians Have God’s Grace – Vincentians Put Others First – Vincentians are United – Fasting

Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast

Called to Serve

In the Gospel, the Lord invites us to accept our mission without placing conditions. It is an important message which we must never forget. Mary is an example of discipleship for us who, like her, have received a vocation. Her trusting response, “Be it done unto me according to your word,” reminds us of her words at the wedding feast of Cana: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Her example is an invitation to serve as she served. Jesus wants to be friends: “‘I no longer call you servants, but friends,’ says the Lord.” What if there were someone who wanted to be friends with you, and you were to say, “Oh sure! I admire you and would like to imitate your form of life, but I don’t want to spend a lot of time with you.” How would that strike your prospective friend?

Vincentians Have God’s Grace

Don’t ever compare yourself to others. You are not a copy, you are an original. Craft your own individuality and sense of style and just be you, God’s creation.  He says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” The life of heaven, where we “shall never perish,” is that place where death and sickness have no power over us, where we see God face to face. “It’s a long, long road from which there is no return While we’re on our journey there Why not share.” “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.” In John’s Gospel we hear His word of life.  “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” What God has wanted from the beginning is to sit down with his creatures in a fellowship banquet, sharing life and laughter, giving, receiving, and giving back again.

Vincentians Put Others First

Me, myself, and I are the exact opposite of who God is in the Holy Trinity. The Trinity, as the Catholic Church has taught for centuries, gives us a true understanding of who we are as human beings. We were meant for relationship, not individualism. God came to us as a family, and we are all part of that family, meant to emulate the same life-giving and selfless exchange. What is unique to Christianity is that God is offering us friendship. You don’t mess around with friendship; you don’t turn it into something abstract; you don’t compromise with it. You enter into it fully.

Vincentians are United

We are content with our calling as the Disciples of Jesus to serve the poor placed before us. We go out into wherever we are called to serve the poor.  We see the need in homes and communities and our goal is to get together to end poverty in our midst. The Lord calls us to tend the poor and bring the good news to share with the poor the Goodness of God, by our actions of love and hope.  We welcome all in need.  We don’t worry about who they are.  We know they are children of God.  We welcome them to our country, our cities and communities with love, charity and friendship.  We help them one family or person at a time.  Jesus said: “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do it to me.” If in my name you give a glass of water, you gave it to me. If in my name you receive a little child, you received me. I was hungry, I was naked, I was homeless, and you did it to me. So this is what Jesus came to teach us: how to love one another. Not big things, small things, but great love.

Fasting

Many ask me why it is in my weekly prayer.  Fasting for the good of our friends in need and Fasting for the love of Jesus is our aim to please when serving those in need. He is always with us.  I always say we should fast from gossip and hurtful attitudes.  We fast from anger and jealousy we fast for the love of Jesus.  We pray when we fast and live the Gospel. Be one with Christ in our service to others.

Blessings,
Lynn