Step by Step – Prayer Rejuvenates Us – God Watches Over us – Land of the Living – John 16:20-23

Vincentian Day of Prayer and Fast

Step by Step

Almighty, eternal, just, and merciful God, grant us in our misery that we may do for your sake alone what we know you want us to do, and always what pleases you; so that, cleansed and enlightened interiorly and fired with the ardor of the Holy Spirit, we may be able to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. —Francis of Assisi    Cast yourself into the arms of God and be assured that if He wants anything of you He will fit you for the work and give you strength. “You have three choices:  give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got” (Cheryl Wilke) The “spirit of the world” offers many false illusions and parodies of happiness. There is perhaps no darkness deeper than the darkness that enters young people’s souls when false prophets destroy for them the light of faith hope and love. The greatest deception, and the deepest source of unhappiness, is the illusion of finding life by excluding God, of finding freedom by excluding moral truths and personal responsibility…. – St. John Paul II

Prayer Rejuvenates Us

They call on God in prayer before a visit – By meditating on the Incarnation and remembering the example of God’s Mother, Mary we are encouraged to lead a life of virtue.  We should always try to pray before a visit and after a visit. Prayer will always rejuvenate us.  It is good to pray with your home visitor partner to ensure we create a positive visit.  We have many refugees and they need us to be with them and always welcome them.  We learn of their way in their new life and they soon become family.  Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.  Trust in your prayers and know we are serving Jesus.  He has called us.  We are disciples and we serve Him well, so that we may lift those in need out of their poverty.  We will not stop until their future is realized.

God Watches Over Us

Almighty God, who gave to the just man from Nazareth, St. Joseph, the privilege of serving as earthly Father to Jesus your Son, through his intercession, watch over our families and guide us in your ways. May this son of David, in whom the shoot from the stump of Jesse has blossomed, guide your people with care and protect your Church from harm. United with Mary his spouse and Jesus our Lord, may we be joined forever in the joys of your heavenly kingdom.  “The adventure of life is to learn.  The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome.  The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give.” (Cheryl Wilke)

Land of the Living

Like the good thief who hung condemned next to the sinless Christ on a cross, anyone who confesses at the end of life may experience the same eternal reward as those who have lived a lifetime of piety and penitence for their sins. Their lives, St. Bernard of Clair Vaux says, can be like “a short bridge from the religion of death unto the land of the living.”  – from: The Saint vs. The Scholar: The Fight Between Faith and Reason I would rather pass as a rude person without any manners than to seem to have an attachment to all worldly things on earth and not think of those who live in poverty. We know God is with us through every trial and problem.  Be close to Him.

JOHN 16:20-23

Vincentians learn to know each day’s Gospel and they know the Gospel calls us to pray in Jesus’ name, making our prayer a way of life.  Have you noticed that when we pray liturgically, officially, we always do so in the name of Jesus the Lord?  This is because Jesus himself told us so.  “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.  “When we pray in Jesus’ name, we are relying on his influence with the Father knowing the Father will listen to him.  It also is a way of naturally monitoring and shaping our prayers. When we pray “through Christ our Lord,” we are praying in the stance, attitude, and spirit of Jesus, to want the sort of things that He wants. So, we can pray, honestly and consistently, for justice, peace, forgiveness, and greater love, all in Jesus’ name.  It also is a way of naturally monitoring and shaping our prayers. When we pray “through Christ our Lord,” we are praying in the, attitude, and spirit of Jesus, deigning to want the sort of things that wants. So, we can pray, honestly and consistently, for justice, peace, forgiveness, and greater love, all in Jesus’ name.  It also is a way of naturally monitoring and shaping our prayers. When we pray “through Christ our Lord,” we are praying in the attitude, and spirit of Jesus, deigning to want the sort of things that wants. So, we can pray, honestly and consistently, for justice, peace, forgiveness, and greater love, all in Jesus’ name.

Blessings,
Lynn