There are words and there are Words. One of the most evocative depictions of Word as it’s spoken by God comes from the prophet Isaiah in his 55th chapter. There the Lord describes his words as rain that nourishes the earth and lets it produce food for those in need.  And Yahweh continues: “The Word that goes forth from My mouth shall not return to me void but shall achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

As a member of Vincent’s Family, have you ever thought of the work you do for the poor as something of an echo of just this Word? This is to view your service as a kind of reverberation of God’s vitalizing Word as it sounds through the needy streets of this world. When helping God’s impoverished ones, can you catch the vibes of His intent in the efforts you’re making to provide that help?

Linking up your Vincentian work with the Lord’s intent for this world brings more substance to both your efforts and to Isaiah’s description. Especially when swamped with heavy demands and mounting deadlines does recalling this living bond between your helping and God’s sustaining enter in. It’s your effort, but now more consciously grounded in the divine energy.

Commenting on a person’s prayer, Vincent voices his firm belief in God’s Word sustaining our service. “What a grace He gives us in sending us to carry His Word in the way throughout the world…Let’s take care not to make ourselves unworthy of this great grace lest God withdraw it from us…”

(Volume: 11 | Page#: 261) Repetition of Prayer, 22 August, 1655 added on 6/28/2011