VINCENTIANS NEVER FORGET THE MANY BLESSINGS THEY RECEIVE FROM THOSE THEY VISIT.

THE RULE, PG. 17

Every morning, if we are lucky, we wake up. We go through the motions of the morning routines to prepare for the day ahead. We would like to think that we know what is instore but there is no guaranteeing that what we have planned will happen. There is a sense of trust in the unknown that life will go on and everything will happen according to our plan. Throughout our days we meet people intentionally or not. These can be work colleagues, volunteers, friends, the bus driver and even the coffee barista. It is the conversations and the unexpected encounters that can change the direction of our day and potentially have a greater impact in unexpected ways.

As Vincentians we are called to journey with others towards holiness (The Rule pg.18). This vocation is lived out through the visiting of the needy, gathering as a Conference, engaging in the prayer life within the Society and local community and actioning when we see a need. By living in accord with these demands, we will receive much from these encounters.

We find it is often the action we least expect to affect us that will touch our hearts deeper than any other. Chances are what we do each and every day in our Society’s good works is an unexpected gift that we take for granted. Sure, the people we are assisting appreciate the help more than they may acknowledge but the gift we are able to give is more valuable and precious than we will ever know.

This leads us to acknowledge the unexpected gifts that comes our way each day. God sends us a brand new day, completely untouched, a day that embodies Him and us together and a chance for a fresh start and unknown opportunities for everyone. He sends us kind words that get lodged on our hearts from complete strangers or wonderful friends. He sends us beautiful memories to remind us of the blessings and good times we have shared and experienced and He sends us a cool breeze in the afternoon heat to cool us down from the blistering heat. Sometimes we fail to see these gifts for what they are, and take them for granted. Whatever comes our way is the gift that is between us and Him. It is amazing how personalised His gifts are to us and it is these gifts that we take with us each day on our unexpected encounters with others.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• What gifts do you think you will see this week?

From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 1, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill.